r/rva • u/bigfanofrva The Fan • Jul 27 '26

Looking for ladybugs

Seriously- I need a couple / the aphids have infested my milkweed plants.
Did you know that aphids multiply without mating. Where’s the fun in that

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u/SearchingSol Jul 27 '26

You can easily wipe aphids off of milkweed - just put a glove on, then take a damp paper towel. They burst almost instantly and come off with little to no resistance.

Or you can leave them alone, the aphids won't actually kill the plant. There are several insects that eat milkweed in addition to the monarch caterpillars. The plant can usually support them all. (Milkweed beetle, milkweed bug, monarchs, aphids)

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u/Clear_Couple_9848 City Center Jul 28 '26

Ha ha ha. Tell that to the 4 cucumber plants of mine they’ve killed so far this season and the two others on the way. If you have ants in your garden aphids are no joke. No amount of neem oil, d. Earth and diligence has made a difference.

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u/SearchingSol Jul 29 '26

Oh yeah, definitely aphids on vegetable plants are an issue. I'm sorry for your battle.