Aphids! The Dirty Rotten Buggers >;{

I was wondering if anyone one has a good organic way to get rid of these guys?

Last year we had a few militant Praying Mantises and Ladybugs that took care of it for me but I have not seen them this year. These things are all over my garden! My tomato plants are especially infected/infested, but my Morning Glories and Moon Flowers are not far behind. I sprayed with a mix of Dawn Dish Soap and Water today but IDK if that will work well for this level of infestation is there something better?
We have a Honey Bee hive somewhere nearby and I do not want to harm them, as they frequent my patio daily. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks in advance,
~Cicca~

PS. I do not have a Garden Hose; it is a patio garden in an apartment complex. Therefore, the strong stream of water idea will not work. :(


This message was edited Jun 9, 2013 1:18 PM

Then you need a portable stream of water. The soap mix should work, but you can always invest in a WaterBlaster squirt gun from the toy department. They come in various sizes and shoot a stream of water with force equivalent to the water hose....they are pump action which compresses air behind the water for a forceful blast

http://www.waterblaster.net/

http://www.toysrus.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=3130063

http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=2327108011

thenoonhowl,
I had not thought of that what a wonderful idea! :)
The dish soap won't harm the honey bees or other desirable critters will it?

No.According to UCDavis it presents very little threat to honey bees and beneficials.

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/TOOLS/PNAI/pnaishow.php?id=43

I always believe where there is a need, there is a solution....GRIN Plus they are great fun.

Wonderful article :)
Thanks for the share!

Most welcome....have fun with the gun....GRIN

I shall indeed! Poor husband, He is going to get squirted when he annoys me for sure... LOL.
:P

I just found this article It might interest others.
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hoya/msg1012504625142.html

I know simple green is sold at my walmart perhaps a mix of simple green and dish soap will work well in conjunction with the squirt gun. ?
But, then again if I do that I can't squirt hubby... Hmmm decisions decisions...

Here is the MSDS on Simple Green....you can still give the hubby a blast....grin An FYI anytime you have questions about the safety or efficacy of a product, just type the name of the product followed by MSDS (material safety data sheet) into the search bar. A site like the one below will come up.

http://www.simplegreen.com/pdfs/MSDS_EN-US_SimpleGreenAllPurposeCleaner.pdf

Ah, I think I love you dear! :)
Have a wonderful day!

It is the little things that often garner the greatest rewards....GRIN

Now...off with you to do battle with the aphids....you have a lovely day.

Best Regards
Moon