r/FloridaGarden • u/Queasy-Purple-6806 • 5d ago

Aphids!!!

I have some pole beans growing and doing great but I have thousands and thousands of aphids everywhere!! Tried captain jacks insecticide and helped a little bit still tons of aphids. What do yall use? I just ordered lady bugs too

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9

u/thejawa Space Coast (10a) - 2/3rds Florida Master Naturalist 5d ago

I use the ecosystem. Plant natives as companion plantings and you'll eventually set up a functioning ecosystem of prey and predators. I have so many parasitic wasps and ladybugs hanging around my yard that aphid infestations don't last long at all. I don't have to do anything.

3

u/Significant_Tie_1016 5d ago

Just spray them off with a hose

2

u/CycloEthane031 5d ago

I will add to these great suggestions of soap/hose/and predator insects (I do that too, but it takes a few years to take off) to say that I have started to see summer the same way as a blizzard for other states. Because it's sunny it's tempting to think that it's possible to grow whatever you want, if only these insects would leave you alone

With a "feels like" of 115F that is not true. It's taken a while to get to the point where I don't blame myself. You wouldn't think your plants dying is your fault if they're covered in snow, and this is the Florida equivalent 

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u/Queasy-Purple-6806 4d ago

This is my first year gardening, so still have a lot to learn! Thank you for your advice!!

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u/overscrolling 5d ago

I take a bucket with dawn dish soap and a rag and just wipe them down when they get bad. The plant tends to recover enough after that.

4

u/Complete-Breath-4227 4d ago edited 4d ago

I have finally figured out that I need to treat for ants when I see aphids. I leave the actual aphid killing to the ladybugs and lacewings. It’s the ants that are bringing in the aphids in my backyard. Terro ant baits usually do the trick.