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Gerardo · September 14, 2017

Hello Everyone,

APHIDS

What used to be a simple foe is beating me up.

I’ve been using a regimen of soap mixed with DE as my
go to knock-down spray every 3 days in the evenings.
At every 3rd application, I add Met 52 and Spinosad to the mix (to hit other players that like to party in my garden too).

While controlling aphid numbers somewhat, what truly
slowed them down was the combo of very high temperatures
and ladybugs, hoverflies, lacewings, and probably some
assassin bugs pitched in too.

I purposely held off on the broad insecticides I have on hand, aim was to
1) help the pretty pollinators that visit me
2) avoid eliminating the aphids natural predators
3) realizing pyrethroids are useless against our local aphid
populations (they handle 3-4x the recommended dose with ease).

I was able to evict them from my peppers plants, but now
they’ve established themselves on my cucumbers.
I’m trying to squeeze one last crop in before the weather
turns and these little sap sucking creatures aren’t helping.

Two nights ago I applied the more complete mix of soap + DE +
Spinosad +Met 52 and this AM I noticed their numbers
exploding, especially the darker ones.

I have Neem Oil on order, and am itching to throw something
at them to slow them down.

Aphid colors present include very dark green
(dominates population), dark green, light orange, light green,
very light green, transparent, chartreuse.

Any recommendations on garlic, superhot pepper
mixes, or any other witches’ brew to beat-slow down aphids?

Many thanks.

September 14, 2017	#1
Gerardo Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: San Diego-Tijuana Posts: 2,594	Aphids on Cucumbers, help please Hello Everyone, APHIDS What used to be a simple foe is beating me up. I’ve been using a regimen of soap mixed with DE as my go to knock-down spray every 3 days in the evenings. At every 3rd application, I add Met 52 and Spinosad to the mix (to hit other players that like to party in my garden too). While controlling aphid numbers somewhat, what truly slowed them down was the combo of very high temperatures and ladybugs, hoverflies, lacewings, and probably some assassin bugs pitched in too. I purposely held off on the broad insecticides I have on hand, aim was to 1) help the pretty pollinators that visit me 2) avoid eliminating the aphids natural predators 3) realizing pyrethroids are useless against our local aphid populations (they handle 3-4x the recommended dose with ease). I was able to evict them from my peppers plants, but now they’ve established themselves on my cucumbers. I’m trying to squeeze one last crop in before the weather turns and these little sap sucking creatures aren’t helping. Two nights ago I applied the more complete mix of soap + DE + Spinosad +Met 52 and this AM I noticed their numbers exploding, especially the darker ones. I have Neem Oil on order, and am itching to throw something at them to slow them down. Aphid colors present include very dark green (dominates population), dark green, light orange, light green, very light green, transparent, chartreuse. Any recommendations on garlic, superhot pepper mixes, or any other witches’ brew to beat-slow down aphids? Many thanks.