How do you get rid of aphids?

Question

We seem to have a mad infestation of aphids (and millions of ants farming them) mainly on my nasturtium but also on my kniphofia.

I have tried a couple of conventional spays but nothing seems to be getting rid of them.

All advice appreciated

Many thanks

Answer 1

Water with washing up liquid in a spray bottle.

Answer 2

Shame on you David G.

The ants are FARMING the aphid, not eating them.

They use the milk to feed their young which is why you see them going up and down the stem of the plant.

Back to the point though. Ladybirds are an ideal solution but don't expect them to stay where you put them! Otherwise most garden centres and DIY stores will have plant friendly bug killing sprays. You will have to keep up the spraying though cos spray won't kill the aphid eggs.

Answer 3

Soapy water.

Answer 4

a light mixture of detergent and warm water in a spray or can be applied using a dish cloth xx

Answer 5

Ladybugs. You can buy them at gardening centers.

Answer 6

Nettles is the solution. soak nettles in a bin for 10-15 days, as far away from your house as possible cause it can smell. Then, remove the nettles and you have your own natural spray. Otherwise, get something to kill the ants, as these are the 'farmers'. Otherwise a plastic gloves and squash the invaders, however if you are infested nettle spray them.

Answer 7

Spray them with a mixture of washing up liquid and water,Make sure you give the underside of the leaves a good soaking.

Answer 8

A none chemical way is Ladybugs :-

http://www.naturescontrol.com/image/lady...

Just catch what you find and put on your plants, if the food is there they wont go :) .

Just a thought.

Answer 9

spray with hose then spray with a mixture of dish soap,alcohol

and water do this when its not sunny(pm or cloudy),weekly til gone

Answer 10

Ants are eating the aphids.If you can't wait for them to eat them all,then easiest way and most fun is to spray them off with the hose.They fall off,but cannot climb back and die.Soft spray,quite close to the plant and watch them tumble down

Answer 11

my nasty urtiums had black aphids and all i had to do was pinch off the young tips as aphids only like the youngest part of the plant.

a solution of washing up liquid and water sprayed from a spray gun also helps.

at the start of the year hang banana skins over plants,beds, bushes etc and keep diong this all year, aphids hate banana smells.if you dont eat a lot of bananas, chum up with some one who does.