Store > Beneficial Insects > Aphid Control
Aphid Control
Aphids - Natural Controls
Many aphids can be destroyed with jets of water or with a cotton swab impregnated with rubbing alcohol. About 4 teaspoons of a mild dish-washing detergent in a quart of water may also be effective.
In nature aphids have many natural enemies that hold populations in check, including syrphid flies, green lacewings, lady bugs and certain species of gall midge. You can attract many aphid parasites by growing flowering plants, which produce nectar that the predators need as an energy source. Please visit Herbs Seeds for information on plants that attract Beneficial Insects.
Larvae of the predator gall midge [aphidoletes species] are sold at Medicine Bee Herbals. Native braconid and chalicidoid wasps parasitize aphids, but are much slower acting than the predators.
Leafhoppers - Natural Controls
Grow resistant varieties; potato leaf hoppers, for example, avoid beans with fuzzy leaves. Cover plants with floating row covers.
Grow pollen and nectar plants to attract big-eyed bugs, beneficial insects found throughout North America that feed on leafhoppers, [Lacewings or lady beetles].
Spray insects with an insecticidal soap [the liquid must touch the insects to be effective].