Question:  “Hi Dawn, what is the best and most efficient way to rid my garden of aphids without using poisons or chemicals?”
–Beth Jones, El Dorado Hills
Dawn’s Answer: “Hi Beth, and thanks for writing!
A strong jet of water is a good means of aphid control and the very first thing I would do upon finding aphids. The water knocks the aphids off of the plant and onto the ground. Once on the ground they are seldom able to return to the plant. Use your thumb to concentrate the spray from a regular garden hose or buy yourself a Bug Blaster hose attachment.
Another great way is to release an army of lady bugs! Ladybugs find aphids to be delicious. Ladybugs and their larvae have a voracious appetite for aphids. A single ladybug can eat about 100 aphids a day. We have thousands of ladybugs at our nursery ($8.95) ready and waiting to make a meal of the pests bugging you and your landscape!!”
To your gardening and landscaping success,
Dawn
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