Re: Aphid Infestation

I tried a strong water spray but it wasn't enough for my wisteria. So I used insecticidal soap two times on my wisteria because the aphids were sucking the energy out of the tips so bad that the new growth wouldn't leaf out - so aphids can cause damage to the plant by reducing the plants energy stores needed to produce growth. Now my wisteria is leafing out on new growth. I also use the tangle foot at the bottom of the tree to keep the ants from "farming" the aphids - they have a symbionic relationship whereby the ants protect the aphids from other predators. 

Ladybugs (lady beetles) and lacewings eat aphids - not sure what the other beetle might be that eats aphids. There are good bug insectaries where a person can purchase some beneficial insects to release on their property. I understand Ladybugs need to be kept confined in a screened cage for a day or so otherwise they will fly off to some other location. 

I haven't had any aphids in my fruit trees but they were in my native willow trees - which were much too large and dense to spray - now the aphid population seems to have decreased naturally. 

Linda Starr 
Springville Lavender Gardens
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