Hi, everybody---
Maybe you all know--I found these icky bugs on our milkweeds and wondered if I should try to get rid of them or are they a 'good thing'? Anybody know?
Thanks. t.
Milkweed bugs: Friends or Foes?
They are horrible Milkweed Bugs and they suck the life out of your pods! They can fly and jump so you have to be quick. You can squirt them with some insecticidal soap etc. but I wouldn't if you have Monarchs in your area now. The older ones are the quickest and will drop to the ground when you come near them, but sometimes they are easily squished, with gloves of course. Try my newest trick which seems to be working. I get a large bowl and fill it with soapy water, slowly put it near the plant with one hand, grab the stalk under the pods with the other and quickly bend the plant over into the water, dunking it and them in it. Some escape tho. Don't forget to step on the ones that fall on the ground. Good luck, they multiply like aphids and rabbits.
Oh, dear--sounds awful. Will go out with my bowl of soapy water right now. I thought they might be something the birds liked to eat, but I guess not!
Thanks a million k., t.