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Re: Aphids on the cornstalk

----------
> From: Bob Clemente <BobbyNew@AOL.COM>
>
> I discovered at least one fertile spot in my garden, and my corn plants
are
> doing great there! But there are oodles of ants climbing my stalks,
> apparently milking the nectar out of my aphids. (I think that's what they
> probably are.) How much damage can these critters do? I've read that the
ants
> protect the aphids. Would they keep ladybugs from eating the aphids? Is
there
> another organic approach? I'm not too keen on spending $6 for ladybugs to
> save four ears of corn. What shall I do?
>
Bob,

I have had the same problem the past two years.  I have plenty of ladybugs
naturally, but the presence of the ants seems to ward the ladybugs away.
I've used a squirt bottle with plain water on it to wash away the aphids.
You need one that puts out a good stream of water.  Once they are gone (I
also rub along the leaves to make sure), the ants seem to go away as well.

Cliff Parker
zone 4b
Holden, ME

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