Hello-
Well, it's happened... I found aphids on my lemon :(. I called the nursery where I bought it (they're always VERY helpful), and they advised me to try soap first, then other steps if that doens't work...Anyway, here's my question:
I live in Colorado where it's too cold to start taking my baby outside yet. Y'know, outside where there are probably ladybugs (have a tattoo of a ladybug, really like those guys :)), so I remembered being at Home Depot the other day and they had ladybugs for sale there. Now, I'm not sure if I'm personally ready for this particular step...but was curious...Have any of you guys invited the "good bugs" into your home? I know this sounds a little crazy (a lot crazy to me), but I was thinking..."geez, the 'bad bugs' are here already...I'm just thinking of bringing in "good one's"! I don't know if I could actually go through with this ... but thought it was an interesting question :) Let me know what you think, or if you have any more advice for my aphid problem. Thanks soo much! :)
Sarah
Meyer Lemon and Aphids and Ladybugs
I think if I could get one or two lady bugs, I would put them on the plant inside. How many do you get in a package? If it is a couple hundred, that sounds like a disaster indoors, at least to me. You will spend the whole summer trying to get them back outdoors!
Thank goodness we are almost at our last frost date! I have gotten the accidental couple ladybugs in the house, (when I have brought plants in for winter) and it hasnt been a problem. I dont know that I would be comfortable releasing a whole batch of them tho.
This package was smaller... I didn't inspect it too thoroughly, but I guess it probably had between 5 and 10 bugs in it. I agree that I *may* be able to put 1 or 2 directly on the plant in hopes of keeping it happy....but not the whole brood. I can see myself taking Lady bug inventory daily so as to keep track of where the "bugs" are! :) and it seems like if I only want 1 or 2 I should just go catch them for free outside...hmmm...I did see a bunch at the sculpture park...nothing stops me from snatching a couple of those, I pay City tax, right? LOL
This leads me to a new question: my citrus has centipedes in the soil, which my nursery told me was good...stimulates root growth, ups the nitrogen, and aerates the soil. Anyway, will the aphids interact badly with my centipedes? and will the ladybugs interact badly with centipedes? The centipedes don't bother me because they stay in the pot...only once in a while a dead one comes out the bottom holes. The nursery told me only to worry about the centipedes if they come up to the surface of the soil and march around like a little army (funny visual LOL). Ok...that's it, thanks for quick, helpful responses, everyone! :)
Sarah Jo
Centipedes are predators, but the trick will be to get the centipedes to where the aphids are. They may also go after the Ladybugs. The easiest thing to do may be to place the pot in the tub or shower and wash the aphids off. A good strong spray of water gets rid of them.
Well, per the nurseries' instructions, I sprayed it with soap yesterday, and let it dry...now I'm going to give it a shower (so it won't burn when I...) and put it back in the sun. I kept checking it yesterday...and from what I can tell I think I suffocated most of 'em with the spray. I kept going back and spraying until I couldn't find anymore alive. So, hopefully it will be happier today. I just have to keep it cool for a week or so, then I can start hardening it off...maybe even now during the day...but right now I'm afraid it's stressed because of the bugs, I'm afraid to try to take it outside right now....what'd ya think. I'd happily put a big container of ladybugs on it when I do take it outside! :)
Also, if anyone has any bright ideas as to how I could get the centipedes up to the aphids??? Without me touching either of 'em too much! :P haha
Sarah