white flys and aphids eating everything!

[momofFireball]

HELP!! What can I do to get rid of white flys and aphids? I have spent tons of money renovating my backyard area and purchasing plants only to be devoured by both of these teeny little things. They sure do lots of damage in a short amount of time! I'm leary about using poison for the aphids (on a hibiscus) as I have lots of hummingbirds coming around and don't want to harm them. The white flys are on potato vines, petunias and who knows what else.

How do I buy ladybugs or a mantis? Does this really work? Thank you! I'm looking forward to being a part of this community!

[Mandy]

Welcome momofFireball, this is the right site to come to if you need advice or just want to share any garden stories. They do say you can get rid of aphids with a good burst of water from a garden hose but ladybugs are also a proven solution. I applaud you for having second thoughts about turning to pesticides, sometimes you can do more harm then intended. Maybe check with a local garden center or local extension office for advice on locating ladybugs. I'm sure you can buy them online. Hopefully someone here might have some better advice. At any rate, glad to meet you.

[unicorn2564]

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7404.html

Here is a little reading for you with some ideas.

[zuzu's petals]

Hiya MomofFireball! Glad to have you with us,
sorry that you're being bugged.

I'm with both you and Mandy when it comes to using chemicals,
preferring to let nature create a balance in my gardens.
It worries me that even some organic insecticides will wipe out the goodies right along with the baddies.
It's mainly ornamentals for me, so I can afford some damage
without it costing my family any food on the table .

The method that Mandy mentioned works well for me,
the garden hose is my first tool of choice to discourage pest insects.
I begin regular, daily "water attacks" as soon as I first spy them or their damage.
Usually, when there get to be enough of the bad bugs,
the good ones suddenly show up to have a field day.

The plants may look rough for a while,
but healthy plants can almost always survive the damage,
so I also try to take extra good care of the plants that sustain infestation.

I know that Mandy is right, I've seen the Ladybug & Mantis "kits" available online
and in a number of gardening catalogues that come to my mailbox.
Oh! And don't forget the Green Lacewings, those are also fantastic Aphid eaters.

[unicorn2564]

http://www.growquest.com/free_ladybugs.htm

[bhscarlett]

i think a few months back Gary had some good advice on bugs , water as they say and some liquid dish soap,, i think you can use search and put in bugs for the word, or bug killers, blessings, beth

[trudy]

these plants are host plants for these insects. They help keep other plants pest free.

[bali]

My hoya is prone to white fly ....so I sprayed that with rubbing alchol. Havent seen them since.........The plant is growing like there is no 2maro.

We'll see .

[phenixmoon214]

Hmm, alcohol, huh.

I have a bunch of pots indoors right now & there seems to be white flies living on the Confederate Rose leaves & gnats everywhere else. Like a lot of them. And the pots are in my bedroom. Ug. Normally I'm a live & let live gardener but hubby is complaining about the bugs. Gnats are the main issue showing up in his night time water glass but the white flies give me the heeby-jeebies. Any other advice? I'll probably put them on the balcony tomorrow as its supposed to be 70s tomorrow. Hopefully they'll fly away then.

[marasri]

I have found that this site is a great site for info and resources. I had a mulyiple year outbreak of oakleaf rollers(sounds like a name of a band) and they reomended that I get some tricagama wasp(sp?) and they have never been back. I see one or two but I am not having to sweep worm poop off the porch or emoty chairs before I sit in them. They have a lot of things. The timing on letting bugs out in your garden right now in winter might not be the best. These questions they will be able to answer.
http://www.arbico-organics.com/

[phenixmoon214]

Thanks for the advice. I respectfully decline to introduce any more bugs, however helpful, into my bedroom. But its the thought that counts, right?

[marasri]

they have other things besides bugs that are =organic pesticides. Orange oil is a pesticide. I think the "natural gardener" carries some. If it is soil based , maybe diatamatious (SP?) earth will help.

[bali]

YOu dont have to introduce bugs, they find their own ways.LOL

[dirtyfingernails]

My book of tonics from Jerry Baker says to make a solution of 2 tablespoons of baby shampoo in a gallon of water used in a hand sprayer should get rid of the whiteflies.Be sure to do both tops and bottoms of the leaves.
Hope that helps you.
Bill

[bali]

Hiya dirty

I will have to check that out.....
I been giving my Hoya a spray bath in the tub, and it is in quarintine.

How come they dont attack outside?

b

Ps how is your wife?