ISO: ISO Aphid help!

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debbie_in_ga

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I finally have my spearmint plant growing on my deck (in a container) and now it's covered with ants because it's covered with aphids! (So much for ants not getting near mint, which is what I keep seeing all over the internet!)

There are too many aphids to hand pick and too many spastic ants to try that anyway. Since the aphids and ants are on the underside of the leaves, not sure how to spray 'em off with water.

Do I need to just pull the plant out and throw it away? Can aphids be prevented?

TIA!

Debbie

 
Good work, Debbie! Do you go in person or do it online?...

Also, I know there are two systems they have - points and no-counting. Which do you do and do you like it?

 
Not being a plant person, I would spray the plant with rum. That way,

if the aphids die, you can still use the mint for mojitos.

By the way, FABULOUS WORK on the slow and steady!

 
Debbie, the ants are the larger problem, because they colonize the aphids and make the infestation

worse. If you can use ant stakes or something, away from your herbs, it will help. Once you control the ants, the aphids won't be so bad.

Insecticidal soap is an organic way to kill the aphids. Don't use chemical sprays because they will kill all the other bugs in the garden, including the ones that eat aphids, and the aphids will come back stronger than ever. Spraying with water (lay the shoots over and spray sideways) will work if you do it often enough.

If the plant is established, don't pull it out. Cut it down to a nub if you have to--it will sprout back soon enough, hopefully after the bugs have gone somewhere else.

I don't know of any way to prevent aphids, only ways to minimize them. If you don't already see ladybugs in your garden, purchase some. Their larvae live on aphids. If you know what they look like (little armadillos) you can gather them up and put them on your mint.

 
Lol Joe, with a yard full of armadilloes, I'll never thought to make that connection. I'll never

look at those cute little ladybugs the same way again. Interesting about the aphids getting worse when the ants come. I learned something.

 
I should clarify--it's not those pillbug/sowbug/rolly-poly things, but a creature with red marks.

Here's a picture--the 4th one down is what you're looking for. Those ugly little larvae are worth their weight in gold.

As for the ants, they actually spread the aphids around for better coverege, then come back later to "milk" them of the juice they've sucked out of your plants. It's scary what goes on when we're not looking.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ladybug

 
Yes, I love ladybugs, I'll concede the "slight" (lol) resemblence of the mid-larvae stage to an

armadillo. The explanation about the ants/aphids makes such good sense. And here I thought the ants were helping me out! Also good info to hose them off and use insecticidal soap on them. They're a real problem in the fall when I start my herbs anew. Now I'll go after the ants, too!

 
Praying Mantis eats aphids and other insects they are also good for insect control as are GECO'S

Also... Planting basil plants around your home & garden is beneficial because basil is a natural exterminator of termites and aphids.

 
Marigolds we plant orange flower marigolds in our garden for pest control - it works too!!

 
Debbie - you can put a plastic bag loosely over the plant, spray the plant-safe

insecticide up into the bag. That way you won't be spraying uselessly into the air. Also, if you put down a line of Tanglefoot around the inside or outside edge of the pot, the ants won't cross it. It's the ants that carry the aphids up into the plant.

 
Well, thank you all for your creative and helpful recommendations...

I think I'll NOT try the rum and cherry bomb ideas on the same night--just in case! I'm old enough to remember the firecracker scare tactic posters they used to show kids (anyone else remember those gruesome photos? -- I won't *touch* a firecracker, let alone light one)

I wound up cutting the plant to the soil (sob - I've been trying since April to get a mint plant and I've been foiled several times for several different reasons). Ants are really bad around our house this year and I think they've also taken up residence in the old whiskey barrel planter the mint and parsley are in. My mint was wall to wall aphids and ants. We'll see what happens if the mint sprouts again (ha! mint ALWAYS sprouts again!).

I never knew those creepy little things were lady bug starters. I haven't seen many this year but will be on the lookout.

I will also get some marigolds since there is room.

I really appreciate all the help since for a few weeks I was really enjoying going out on my deck every day and pinching a few leaves for my iced tea.

(Thanks for the weight-loss kudos as well! I currently go to 2 meetings a week (with my 6yo dd) as I really need the reinforcement, and may go 3 times once dd gets back in school. I love getting the snack and meal tips from other members.)

Thanks, all, again!
Debbie

 
Yea - go Debbie! You are inspiring me...

I just started Nutrisystem this month for meals M-F (with a few exceptions here and there) and cook for my DB and myself on the weekends. Down 4.4 in 2 weeks! Actually there is a lot more food than I am accustomed to during the day, lots of little meals basically. It's helping me change some old habits. Of course I can never get all the water down me, how are you doing with that?

 
a hint on getting in your water. Use your commute time to drink a bottle.

I always kept bottles(OK, of water or Propel, nothing really fun) in the car, and would try to get one down on my way to work, and another on the way home. that was 32 oz in for the day without trying too hard.

 
and I learned the hard way... don't get in an elevator if you have to go to the bathroom

It might get stuck

 
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