Aphids in the Garden

[MikeH]

I was thinking about using vinegar, diluted in a spray bottle to get rid of them. Would that be a good idea, ie would it work? I have used the "spray them hard with a hose nozzle, just wash them off" approach and yes it works, but it gets rid of most not all of them.

44603

These are collard greens. I'd like to give them to a relative in Sebastopol who is originally from the South. I can hardly give them collard greens that are mostly clean, but some have aphids. Not all the plants have aphids. And the lettuce doesn't have aphids. They seem to like the collard greens.

[ChefJayTay]

I'm by no means a plant expert or master gardener. From what little I've read about aphids is that there are many ways to kill them, but you must both be thorough and regularly go back and retreat plants repeatedly to prevent re-infestation.

[wisewomn]

i find this spray to be effective with scale, aphids, mealy bugs, and other pests:

In a one-quart sprayer mix:
1 Tbsp Neem oil (available at Friedman's)
3-4 drops orange oil
4-5 drops dish soap
1/3 c. rubbing alcohol
Fill sprayer with water and shake well. Spray weekly until infestation is gone. Be sure to spray directly onto pests and also undersides of leaves and leaf nodes.