How do I get rid of them w/o harming the monarch/Queen eggs? I've got several areas where milkweed is planted and it's just one bed where they are. I've tried washing them off, but now there's bf eggs on there too. Don't want to use pesticide obviously, but I don't know what else to do.
Aphids on my milkweed
Can you cut the area and keep the eggs, moving them to another area, then spray the original host plant? I have 6 eggs in tiny rubbermaids with mesh covers attached to their original leaves.
I have the same problem. My milkweed is COVERED in aphids. Maybe ladybugs?
Are the aphids harmful to the plant or to the cats?
Carla
Besides from being unsightly I have found the monarch cat's don't seem to be bothered by them.I just wonder if the aphids get eaten along with the leaves,or if they just move on to the next plant.
I've read a mixture of dish detergent and water and dip the affected areas of the milkweed or spray it on works.I haven't tried either.I've got way to many milkweed plants(300 or so).When they start to bother me I take the leaf gently between my thumb and four finger and slide them off and crush them. (gross I know but they are gone and the hose is usually very near by and they wash right off) Don P.S. Hope I haven't grossed you out.
Don, that is a little gross, but I've done it myself. Seems to keep the aphids off a bit longer than just hosing them off the plant. And yes...that hose has to be close by for me. Ewwwww
Well so far the aphids only seem to be on one patch of plants. Since I've got cats on them now I may wait till they eat them down and then either spray and cover w/ bird netting to keep the BF's off or I don't know but they "bug' the be-jabbers out of me !!!!