From: songbird@anthive.com   
      
   T wrote:   
   > On 6/21/24 12:23, Wilson wrote:   
   >> I know this isn't an actual garden question, but I have some beautiful   
   >> Coral Honeysuckle that for the past 3 years has been getting ravaged   
   >> with aphids. Just as soon as the blossoms come on, these critters kill   
   >> them.   
   >>   
   >> I've tried making some spray with rhubarb leaves, but that didn't work -   
   >> certainly not fast enough.   
   >>   
   >> Any organic suggestions I can use?   
   >   
   > Hi Wilson,   
   >   
   > Yes there are.   
   >   
   > Two things you have to do.   
   >   
   > 1) power wash them with soapy (detergent) water.  Seventh   
   > Generation Dish liquid Free and Clear is what I use.  It   
   > is completely biodegradable.  Get one of those hose   
   > attachment bottles for spraying things on your lawn.   
   >   
   > 2) kill off the ants that are farming the aphids.   
   > Mix borax washing soda (Walmart) with hot water   
   > and really cheap honey (Walmart).  Make a gooey   
   > paste.  Apply all over the place.   
   >   
   > Optional, after you kill off the ants: unleash lady bugs   
   > on them.  Apply in the cool of the morning so they won't   
   > just fly off.  But the ants must go first as they will kill   
   > the lady bugs to protect the aphids.   
      
     it is very hard to kill off all ants but it may   
   help to knock them back temporarily.  personally, i   
   don't try to control ants here unless they are trying   
   to set up a new home in the house.   
      
     the more inert dilute soap spray may do the job   
   for both the ants and the aphids at least to knock   
   them back and then the ladybugs will help keep things   
   under control.   
      
     it will help a lot to learn how to keep lady bugs   
   around and to encourage other lady bug predators.  i   
   don't see aphids here often.   
      
      
     songbird   
      
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