From: nowhere@nearyou.com   
      
   On 6/22/2024 12:01 AM, songbird wrote:   
   > 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   
   I've seen a lot to aphids on my lupines too. I may have some plants that are   
   hosting the aphids more than others. It's just that the honeysuckle was so   
   beautiful when blooming as they do all summer long, I hate them getting shut   
   down before they get started. Thanks.   
      
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