Aphids on cucumbers- Please Help!

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JLEM Atascadero, CA Jul 14, 2010

The weather is finally getting hot (96 in the shade) and I thought I would check out the garden. I noticed an unusual number of ants crawling on my cucumber vines and decided to take a closer look. It would appear I have aphids! What do you suggest I use to get rid of them? I have heard of spraying them off with water, but the vines are blooming and I am afraid this will destroy all of the flowers. Help please! Thanks!

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Ozark Ozark, MO(Zone 6a) Jul 14, 2010

Insecticides with the active ingredient pyrethrin are very effective for aphids. Pyrethrin is a natural defense against insects that comes from chrysanthemum plants. It's a contact insecticide only - touch a bug with pyrethrin while it's wet and the bug dies, but it's harmless as soon as it dries and it leaves no harmful or poisonous residue.

Pyrethrin is even approved for spraying on the same day as harvest, and for spraying market fruits and vegetables after harvest. Good stuff - and it really zaps aphids.

Since you're dealing with blossoming cucumbers, I'd spray pyrethrin right at dark to avoid killing any bees - and be sure to hit the underside of the leaves.

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Jim41 Delhi, LA Jul 16, 2010

I mix dish washing liquid with water and spay for aphids. I've found it to be very effective. Like Ozark said, be sure and spay the underside of the leaves.

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