The aphids keep getting worse, and now I have whiteflies as well. Yesterday, I broke down and sprayed malathion. I also ordered some of the systemic neonic stuff, which I can now see why is so popular...nothing else works. Neem oil was pointless. If my greenhouse was screened in, then maybe lady bugs would work, but in an open 40-acre field, I'm not going to contain them.
The heavy bug pressure of late summer may drive me out of the mum business next year. I don't like spraying chemical pesticides, but mums seem to require them.
|