Aphids

Aphids are soft, pear-shaped and very tiny with long antennae.Aphids are "farmed" by ants, which often keep them in their nest during winter. In spring the ants bring them out and place them on the host plant. The ants eat the honeydew the aphids produce and move them from plant to plant spreading any diseases that are present. The honeydew favors formation of a black fungus known as "sooty mold." Control of the ants may often solve the aphid problem. Aphids abound in warm moist environments and will attack almost anything, favoring succulent new growth.

Problem
Aphids attack most plants. They mature in 1 to 2 weeks and reproduce continuously. Both adults and nymphs suck plant sap, which usually causes distorted leaves, buds, branch tips, and flowers. Leaves and flowers can become severly infested and drop. As they feed, aphids excrete a sweet, sticky honeydew. Some aphids spread viruses as they feed.

Damage Control
Rainstorm-a hard, driving rainstorm will kill aphids. So will drenching plants with strong sprays of water from a garden hose. Yarrow and sweet alyssum-plant these pollen and nectar plants to attract predators. Control ants-place sticky bands around trees where ants guard aphid colonies. Sprays-spray aphids with insecticidal soap and homemade garlic sprays Garlic spray-finely chop 10 to 15 garlic cloves and soak in 1 pint mineral oil for 24 hours. Strain and spray as is or dilute with water and a few drops of soap. Boiling water-Sometimes the best way to control aphids is to control ants. You try to kill the aphids so the ants will move on. If the soapspray does not encourage the ants to move elsewhere in search of aphids, kill the ants with boiling water. First locate the anthills. Next, get up before dawn, boil two large pots of water and pour them on th anthills. You must do this at dawn, otherwise the ants have already left for their days work and when they see their house destroyed they will simply build another house.

Aphid Facts

Live where: Everywhere in the United States

Life cycle: Female aphids can reproduce without mating. They give birth continuously to live nymphs which mature in 1 to 2 weeks and start reproducing in turn. In fall males and females are born. They mate and the female lays eggs which hatch the following spring.

Attack: flowers, most fruit and vegetable plants, ornamentals and house plants. Love yellow flowers.

Predators: Green lacewings, ladybugs and their respective larvae have a voracious appetite for aphids. Larvae from the syrphid fly, hover flies and praying mantis.

Repellant plants: Anise, chives, coriander (cilantro), garlic, onions, petunias and radish. Nasturtiums act as a trap crop.Yarrow and sweet alyssum.