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I’ve been reading up on safe aphid prevention since control/eradication once you have them is very challenging. For my cukes this year, I’m trying cinnamon and/or diatomaceous earth in the soil around the plants and companion planting with basil and marigolds. Also, since I start plants in a cold house, I’m making sure the ants stay away (finding and destroying, frankly) and traps because they will protect and propagate aphids for their own use. I also have hanging sticky traps for the winged aphids (those are the ones that come in and start the colony). So I don’t know if all this is going to work yet, but FYI that’s what I read about! What has worked for you?
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Removal by hand and releasing ladybugs in the greenhouse.
And remember now we also have Peppermint Fury thanks to Scot Patterson.
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I can’t remember when I last had an aphid attack. I think I just hosed them off with a jet of water. But, then, my “garden” has lots of “weeds” that bug predators like, and I have a mix of plants, rather than beds with monocultures, so I imagine those things play an important part. Also, plants that may be prone to aphids, like roses, have to be a bit tough to survive my Darwinian methods. So, maybe they are not as succulent to aphids as something like cucumbers and other veggies would be. I like the ‘Peppermint Fury’ idea, too.
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A high pressure water jet is good. Use a pump action sprayer so that you can build up pressure and then have one hand free to turn over the leaves and spray the underside. Squish plenty by hand – it also makes you feel better – the aroma of aphid corpses will attract more predators like lady bugs and lacewings to help with control.
Insecticidal soap can be a next-level control, but then you don’t get so much help from the predators.
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