From: T@invalid.invalid   
      
   On 6/23/24 08:22, Wilson wrote:   
   > On 6/21/2024 5:16 PM, 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.   
   >>   
   >> Death to aphids!   
   >> Death to squash bugs!   
   >> Death to earwigs!   
   >>   
   >> -T   
   > Thanks, T. I'll have to try the power wash thing with the hose. I have   
   > used Safer's Soap without any real success.   
      
   Safer Soap is over hyped.  And dish washing detergent will   
   work just fine.  I use the seventh Gen free and clear   
   because  it does not have perfumes and is totally   
   biodegradable.  I have even killed squash bugs with it.   
   It is great on flies and black widows too.   
      
   > There are some ants and I've heard of them farming aphids, but not   
   > really noticing them getting together. I have a hummingbird feeder up   
   > that attracts some ants. I use Boraxo & sugar and it does work.   
   > Mentioned honey to the wife and she immediately thought of some old corn   
   > syrup which we think would work.   
      
   Ants LOVE corn syrup!  You know, I wonder which is cheaper corn   
   syrup or honey.  Ant love the corn syrup in Coca Cola.   
      
   > I'm thinking that after I power spray the plant, I'll put some Boraxo &   
   > sugar underneath the plant.   
      
   You don't have to put it under the plant.  Ant will find it,   
   even 10 feet away.  That being said, I have wiped it on   
   the leaves and stems of my Goji berries.  No harm was done.   
      
   > I'm going to check on it's effect on plants   
   > first, but I've seen not die-off where I've put it along the boarder of   
   > my garage for wood ants.   
   >   
   > Funny thing with lady bugs, we were inundated with them all winter long   
   > in our house. Mostly those Japanese ones with the 'M' or 'W' on their   
   > heads, depending on which way your looking. Now, very few if any around.   
      
   I do not know what kind of lady bugs we have, but I know they   
   will bite you if provoked.   
      
   >   
   > The neighbors have some of the same honeysuckle, but no aphids that I   
   > can see.   
   >   
   > Thanks!   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)