Re: [CH] aphids
peter gaffney (petergaffney@bc.sympatico.ca)
Wed, 09 Dec 1998 12:49:26 -0800
rob,
the title of your posting declares ... aphids. but in the body you
call the little sap suckers ... "spider mites". there's some
considerable
difference between the two, in terms of eradication.
if the creatures in question are in fact aphids, you might try simply
picking them off by hand ... squashing them. or a forceful rinsing
with water to clean them off the plant.
an alternative is the use of an insecticidal soap like "Safer's" brand.
works well to kill aphids and has a low toxicity. read label and
follow instructions etc.
if you have spider mites, your problem is exponentially more
difficult to solve. repeated treating with an insecticidal soap or a
strong cayenne pepper solution may keep them at bay, but it
likely won't kill them. your only resort may be the use of a
chemical miticide, or the destruction of the afflicted plant.
more info at ...
http://www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~ohioline/hyg-fact/2000/2151.html
http://www.plumpton.ac.uk/coursework/Horticulture/HORTIC/red.htm
http://ipmwww.ncsu.edu/AG271/peanuts/twospotted_spider_mite.html
incidentally, you'll know they're spider mites if you have
cottony cobweb like strands between the leaves.
good luck,
peter g