Any Good Gardener
Knows when Aphids are trying to harm the babies
When this happens a good gardener doesn’t subscribe to the ideas the aphids are presenting. Aphids are no doubt a pain in the ass but if one is diligent then aphids are no trouble - I mean seriously - the chickadees love to eat the aphids up. Them and other birds natural.
Anybody got some better ideas - I’m all ears!
BK
So in an act of good faith, I want to share this - even though I know my aphid troubles are over - but just in case:
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Hi Ken, sorry to hear about your aphid problem. I solved my aphid problem years ago....(edit). While cleaning up a very old gardening shed I found a box of tobacco snuff, the box was marked save for the aphids. The old lady didn’t want the old man to steal her snuff. I have used the snuff on my wife’s roses for years now, such that we don’t have very many aphid outbreaks anymore. The commercial products we used, rose powders and sprays never worked as well. So the box contained a dozen little cannisters and I’ve only gone thru two containers, and that’s with taking a few snuffs for myself in the summer. I take a pinch out and sprinkle it on the top of the buds and leaves, blowing a bit of powder on the undersides. You can see the aphids turn brown and drop off the plant. Tobacco snuff can be found on the internet for sale as well as at any good tobacco store. Mine is unflavored by W.E. Garrett marked mild sweet snuff. It’s a light brown very fine powder. The snuff is non-toxic, my cats play in the garden. Water will wash it off, so reapply as needed after a watering or rain. Over the years the snuff that washed or fell on the ground has prevented further outbreaks. It won’t hurt you or your peppers, washes off and any residue is non-toxic. It doesn’t work on the Japanese beetles that have been showing up the last 2-3 years. It seems to have also helped prevent rust virus and mouldy mildew, but that may just be getting rid of the aphids. Go buy a small tin of snuff and save those peppers.
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I think that is good advice - I also think borax is an option - but ladybugs are the best and I reckon I got to order a new batch!
BK
We found success with Castile soap, a little bit of mint, sprayed onto the offending bugs...the ones pir chickens couldn't easily get to. Less success with diatamaceous earth. The combo of chickens, spray, and earth rid our peppers of them bugs.
My friend simply bought lady bugs and said that worked... May try that, and keep chickens out and see what happens.