From: nowhere@nearyou.com   
      
   On 6/23/2024 8:12 PM, T wrote:   
   > 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.   
   Pretty sure corn syrup is cheaper, besides I have some corn syrup 'lite' I   
   bought by accident when I was trying to make Sea Foam Candy - failed.   
   >   
   >> 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!   
   >   
   I will continue the battle!   
      
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