Comments on: Dealing With Pests In a Container Garden: Aphids

By: Daisy

Daisy — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 14:34:12 +0000

I am fighting aphids on my tomatoes. I’ve used the soap mixture to no avail. Purchased Ortho insecticidal spray to no avail. I think the aphids come in on buses each evening. I am wondering if Bon-neem spray will kill/harm beneficial ladybugs?

By: Ladybugs Love Container Gardens!

Ladybugs Love Container Gardens! — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:02:13 +0000

[...] These are photos I’ve snapped of ladybugs in my own container gardens, and those of clients or friends. I would say that ladybugs really love container gardening (especially when the garden includes dill!) as much as people do! Do you ever see ladybugs in your garden? [...]

By: Garden Much

Garden Much — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 13:02:31 +0000

@Bob I use that same recipe – saved a rose only a few days ago – soap+water can be very effective

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:03:26 +0000

I took a couple pictures of the leaf and put it on my blog this morning. http://www.thecornerinthemiddle.com but the bug I took a picture of looks like a tiny long fly, and I’ve seen them on the mulch too. But I don’t know if that’s the one eating my plant. I took three pictures, one of the plant, a leaf, and a very close picture of the leaf. All four of my eggplants are almost completely like this. I’ve never had this bug before and I am out of ideas. I don’t know if it’s the fly looking thing, or aphids, I haven’t seen any aphids since I sprayed for three days.

By: Fern

Fern — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 23:52:56 +0000

Daniel--It's not really advisable to spray anything on your plants (organic or chemical) before you know what pest you're dealing with. The problem with spraying broad spectrum chemicals--as it sounds like you have done--is that they kill beneficial insects and pests alike. It's hard to keep an organic garden when you disrupt the natural order of things like that. Could you describe the insect you're dealing with a little more so that I can help you ID it? What kind of damage (i.e. does it leave round holes the center of the leaf, jagged holes along the edges, etc) does it do to the leaves? Does the insect jump or fly away when disturbed? Do you see any sign of the insects other than the damage they create, such as webs or a sticky substance on the leaves? From what you've described thus far, here are my best guesses: flea beetle or spider mites.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 14:50:39 +0000

What about the little tiny black bugs? They are smaller than aphids and are eating my eggplant leaves up. They look paper thin. I sprayed them several times over the last week with the ecosense insecticide soap, and yesterday, I had to buy a spray poison because the bugs have gotten so prolific. Thoughts on what exactly they are and how to prevent them?

By: Container Garden Pest Problems: Aphids

Container Garden Pest Problems: Aphids — Mon, 10 May 2010 13:01:42 +0000

[...] the past, I’ve shared my preferred method of dealing with aphids, ladybugs. They are still my favorite way to get rid of aphids, but I’ve noticed that [...]

By: 3 Insects You Should NEVER Kill

3 Insects You Should NEVER Kill — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 08:05:38 +0000

[...] Dealing With Aphids in a Container Garden Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on container gardening in apartments and condos. [...]

By: Lisa

Lisa — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 15:39:23 +0000

Great article. Ladybugs are the best deal 100 a day for adults and more than 400 for the larvae. Works for me.
The soap spray recommended by Bob is also a great solution if you don’t have ladybugs inhabiting the area and can’t afford to import some.
Happy growing!

By: Bob

Bob — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 15:20:54 +0000

Insecticidal Soap Spray
1 to 2 tablespoons liquid soap
1 quart water
mix and pour into an empty spray bottle.

Make your own spray at home and save some $$. Most plants are fine with this mixture and it does kill aphids and other soft-bodied insects (caterpillars). Don’t use this on nasturtiums; they cannot tolerate the soap.