The Aphids are back, and the annual struggle for control of my garden has begun.
I thought I’d gotten them all last year. But the evil-doers re-grouped and set up winter training camps in the soil of my containers, where they indoctrinated a whole new crop of young fighters. This spring they attacked with a vengeance, spreading their evil venom throughout my pristine garden, curling up my honeysuckle flowers and causing their leaves to drop, even threatening to swarm the day lilies before the first bud had even opened.
To make matters worse, the bastards have enrolled their allies in the axis of garden evil, the wooly adelgids, to infect my evergreens.
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces Website But if these terrorists think that they can take control of my garden, they are wrong. Dead wrong. Because I’m taking them on with everything I’ve got. This, my friends, is war.
Phase 1 – Targeted Strikes
First, I bring out the garden hose. Nothing like a good strong spray to knock those buggers off the plant and onto the ground. Although this picture makes it look random, I actually use precision targeting, getting in close and hitting every infected flower or leaf I find. If there are too many aphids on a limb, I take the whole limb out. Sure, I’ll sustain some collateral damage, but it’s necessary for the survival of the entire plant. Then it’s on to…
Phase 2 – Organic Weapons of Mass Destruction
That’s right, I bring out the Neem Oil and insecticidal soap. These oils are safe to use yet highly effective, basically smothering the soft bodied aphids. The soap emulsifies the oils, making them more effective.
Of course, if I had gotten off my winter couch-potato ass in February, I could have sprayed a dormant oil then and I wouldn’t have this problem now. Sort of like if the FBI had gotten their act together a little earlier we wouldn’t be in this mess now…
Phase 3 – Take out the Collaborators
Then it’s time to get the ants. Ants, you see, farm the aphids for the honeydew and proteins that the aphids secrete. In return, the ants protect the aphids against other bug predators. (Sort of like the Taliban and Saadam…)
I take a mutipronged approach to the ants. First, I use landmines – Diotomaceous Earth (DE). DE is the fossilized remains of the shells of one-celled plants called diatoms that inhabited the earth’s oceans millions of years ago. Large deposits of DE can be found all around the world in areas where oceans once existed. DE looks like a fine white powder. But look more closely, and you’ll see that it’s like microscopic scrap metal, whose shards cut and break the ant’s limbs as they move past them.
Photo credit: Univ of California Dept of Paleontology Website
DE is safe to use, but I wear a mask that I fashioned out of paper towels as I spread DE around the base of my plants on a hot, windless afternoon. Die, you bastards, die!
Next, just in case the ants make it past the DE, I wrap my tree trunks with tanglefoot, a sticky substance that both repels and traps the ants and keeps them off the trees.
Finally, I plant deterrents at the base of the at-risk plants. From what I have read, ants hate spearmint.
Phase 4 – Special Ops
After I have done all I can do, after I have been covered in water from hosing and smell of neem oil, after I have scrubbed the tanglefoot off my hands, after the DE has had a few days to do it’s nasty work, and after enough time has passed to lull any remaining aphids into complacency, than, and only then, do I call in the Special Ops Unit.
(Double click on the arrow to view video)
That’s right, the labybugs. These babies have been training their entire life for this mission. One adult ladybug will devour up to 1000 aphids a day!
I purchase one bag of 500 ladybugs at my new favorite Garden Center, Hicks, out on Long Island. Then, under cover of night, I creep outside, and after hosing down the leaves of the plants, open the mesh bag of ladybugs and sprinkle the brave fighters over the honeysuckle bushes, the day lilies, the apple trees and the evevergreen boughs.
Of course, the biggest question is, will they stay? They did! Next day, they’re still there on my evergreens chomping away at the adelgids. I declare victory – for now.
Phase 5 – Post War Strategy
I may have won this battle, but this administration isn’t resting on its laurels. The insurgents are still out there, and I’m going to weed them out with weekly Neem spraying. And next February, come what may, I’m doing a dormant spraying.
This is one occupying force that’s not leaving.
Good for you, nary a nasty chemical amongst the lot.
Forget dormant spraying. It’s too cold in February. But like you I always wish I had done it.
I’ve fought that battle in my potager. Of course, I can’t buy ladybugs (What? SELL bugs?) but I cherish the ones I find. I diligently attack any ant hills I find…and I’ve learned polenta will kill the little aphid-herders…so, I feed the ants polenta – uncooked, of course.
Good luck! Don’t forget to set your alarm for February!
Great one! I love the Ladybug attack, especially!
Thanks for the great detail. I bought a plant with ant eggs in it and had to take immediate action – boiling water. They are a horrible pest and the eggs are so big! Luckily it was in a container. I keep cut canes, tied in a bundle, all around the garden as a safe winter harbour for ladybugs and lacewings. I grow a perennial hop plant that is also good as a ladybug nursery. I shall certainly be on alert next spring.
JMB: I am determined to do the dormant spraying next year. I hat aphids…
Katiez: Hadn’t head about polenta before – I like the idea. Will try it..
Bardiac: Thanks!
Anonymous: I have afeeling teh ladybugs don’t make it throuigh the winter here n a container garden. But they are cheap enough to buy.
poor you. i hate those little green suckers. they killed all the plants on my balcony a few years ago. i was NOT happy. great post 🙂 power to the ladybugs.