John, Bill:

 

Thanks for the information.  I just attended a briefing on beneficial insects.  It mentioned some wasps kill aphids.  He suggested letting them say if the wasp nests aren't close to the house.    I found a wasp nest that appeared  to be inactive.  Tapping, stronger tapping and then cutting the nest loose from a bush near the window allowed me to reposition it to the back  of the yard.  I was ready to flee if any wasp appeared.  I don't know if the wasps hibernate over the winter of if it was just empty.

 

Don't want to kill the honey bees since I have fruit trees.  I think I will try spraying irises with lemon dish soap (Dana's advice).  Now the problem is that I just bought a Bayer product that has imidacloprid before I read the wikipedia article.  I have borers (or is it japanese beetles) that are killing my trees.  They are very bad.  Apple, Peachcot, Pear have all succumbed.  I am seeing it in the other trees as well.  Even the Pecan shows some signs of investation.   I had someone sprayed for years but it didn't save my Peachcot.  That was a wonderful tree and fruit.  I may have to use Bayer for the trees and soap for the irises.

 

Scarlett

 

 

P.S the below picture is from 2006.  I don't see a strong infestation this year.

 

You should also be aware that  imidacloprid is toxic to honeybees feeding on the pollen and nectar of those plants.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imidacloprid_effects_on_bees

John
On Apr 8, 2012, at 2:46 PM, Bill Chaney wrote:

>
> Scarlett,
>
> I am a retired entomologist, turned iris breeder, and I spent a 20 year career trying to find ways to control aphids. There are a number of biological controls that can be effective, but for any biological control to work, a population of aphids must be tolerated before the control works.  Ladybugs and green lacewings are your best bets for biological controls that can be purchased, but naturally occurring populations of beneficial insects are always best, but somewhat unreliable.
>
> The good news is that there is an effective insecticide on the market that is much safer that disyston.  The product is imidacloprid.  Look for it in the active ingredient list. It is systemic and quite effective on aphids. Always read and follow  label directions, but I have used it with great success.
>
> Bill
>
>
> From: "sdayres2@aol.com" <sdayres2@aol.com>
> To: iris-photos@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Sunday, April 8, 2012 9:54 AM
> Subject: Re: [iris-photos] Is this iris nutrient deficient?
>
> 
> Dana:
> 
> Yes I do have aphids.  Would they prefer one variety over the other Arilbreds around them?  Question is what to use to get rid of the critters.  Soapy water doesn't get into the crevices.  You can buy ladybugs.  But the first thing they will do is exercise their wings and fly away.  Anybody know anyway to keep the ladybug critters in the yard?  You can buy preying mantis eggs.  But they are cannibalistic and the first ones out will fatten themselves on the siblings.   I don't know how to break apart the eggs from each other without damaging the eggs.  Anyone try green lacewings?
> 
> 
> 
>  I miss Disyston (spelling), but that has now been outlawed.  Anyway, I am trying to encourage the beneficial bugs.
> 
> Scarlett
> 
> 
> 
> In a message dated 4/8/2012 9:03:26 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, ddbro@sbcglobal.net writes:
> 
> I have seen this type of damage with aphids and aphids love arilbreds!
> Dana D. Brown
> Malevil Iris Gardens & Kennels
> www.malevil- iris.com
> Lubbock, TX   79403
> Zone 7 USDA, Zone 10 Sunset
> ddbro@sbcglobal. net
> Home of:
> Irongate's Racy Tracy
> Irongate's Kisses In The Wind
> Merrimac's Amarula CGC TDI
> CH. Merrimac the Agean CDX, RE, CGC, TDI
>
>
>
>

__________________
John and Joanne Jones
Registrar-Recorder
American Iris Society
35572 Linda Drive
Fremont, CA 94536
aisregistrar@irises.org



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