Aphids

[Adrestia]

They're ooc. I tried waiting for ladybugs, but they never showed up and I was starting to lose my plants. I've sprayed with neem oil, just today I sprayed with a solution of eucalyptus oil soap.

Has anyone here been able to control an aphid infestation?

[IcePrincessKRS]

I haven't had much trouble with aphids, but I had slugs going crazy on my basil. Luckily it's in a pot so I just sprinkled the ground with salt... now my basil is out of control big. haha

 

 

This link has some promising sounding natural aphid repellant suggestions. Hopefully one will work for you. :)

 

http://voices.yahoo.com/natural-aphid-pesticides-10-eco-friendly-ways-repel-1840538.html?cat=32

 

And another:

http://thetransplantedsuburbanites.blogspot.com/2012/04/natural-aphid-repellent.html

 

[Adrestia]

Thanks! It would be awesome if the yellow bowl trick works.

[Adrestia]

The eucalyptus oil soap seems to have helped. I'm going back over with more neem oil since the soap probably washed off the previous application. Maybe I should mix the two together, right? And why are yellow bowls so scarce? I'm about to just paint one.

[cmotherofpirl]

Warm soapy water squirted on them usually removes them.

[Adrestia]

Soapy water, for the win! My peppers thank you.

[photosynthesis]

Can you buy ladybugs and let them out in your yard?

 

Just don't let them in your house!

[OnlySunshine]

What have you used to lure the ladybugs?  There are ladybug lures available online.  Here are some lures that I found:

 

http://www.groworganic.com/predalure-ladybug-lure.html

 

http://www.amazon.com/Springstar-Lady-Bug-Lure-S702/dp/B000HHLUP0/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

Here is some interesting information on attracting and purchasing live ladybugs for pest control:

 

http://voices.yahoo.com/guidelines-attracting-purchasing-ladybugs-436922.html

 

You may not know this, but ladybugs were named for Our Lady.  In Europe, during the Middle Ages, insects were destroying the crops, so the Catholic farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon the Ladybugs came, ate the plant-destroying pests and saved the crops! The farmers began calling the ladybugs "The Beetles of Our Lady", and they eventually became known as "Lady Beetles"! The red wings represented the Virgin's cloak and the black spots represented her joys and sorrows. They didn't differentiate between males and females.

 

You might consider asking Our Lady for help.  ;)

[Byzantine]

You may not know this, but ladybugs were named for Our Lady.  In Europe, during the Middle Ages, insects were destroying the crops, so the Catholic farmers prayed to the Virgin Mary for help. Soon the Ladybugs came, ate the plant-destroying pests and saved the crops! The farmers began calling the ladybugs "The Beetles of Our Lady", and they eventually became known as "Lady Beetles"! The red wings represented the Virgin's cloak and the black spots represented her joys and sorrows. They didn't differentiate between males and females.

That's really neat!