Green aphids :(

[Patrick_L]

I just noticed that one of my pepper plants is infested with aphids.

What’s the best way to treat this problem without harming the fish?

Pat

[Murray]

I find them to be a little difficult to control. My habit is to spray weekly with Dipil and Seasol mix which appears to keep most pests down to a managable level. Weekly spraying is the key. It high summer I spray twice a week.
When using organic methods of pest control it is very important to be consistent and regular in the treatments. Because, generally, they are mild in their potency.
Ladybird bugs /beetles are a natural predator of aphids. There are places where you can actually purchase ladybird beetles. Its only the common or 18 spotted ladybird beetles that are good ... ie they eat aphids and other small pests.
Here is an interesting website dealing with Ladybird beetles in the Brisbane area, http://www.brisbaneinsects.com/brisbane_ladybirds/

Spray the affected plants with a mix of insecticidal soap, water, and oil. You can also purchase aphid traps that are similar to flypaper.

Here is a useful article http://www.greenthumbarticles.com/ar...ent-a2559.html
Here is a couple of companies who are listed as selling ladybeetles and the like. I have not contacted these people myself, so I cannot vouch for them.

Bugs for Bugs
Bowen Street
Mundubbera Qld 4626
Phone: (07 4165 4663
Fax: (07) 4165 4626
Contact: Dan Papacek
e-mail: info@bugsforbugs.com.au
web page: http://www.bugsforbugs.com.au

IPM Technologies
P.O. Box 600
Hurstbridge Vic 3099
Phone: (03) 9710 1554
Fax: (03) 9710 1354
Contact: Paul Horne
e-mail: ipmtechnologies@bigpond.com
web: http://www.ipmtechnologies.com.au

Manchil IPM Services
PO BOX 431
WANNEROO WA 6946
mobile 0403 727 252
email: lachlanchilman@hotmail.com
web:http://www.manchilipmservices.com.au

Here is another control insect, the Aphidius-C (Aphidius colemani) - aphid parasitoid.
Read about it here. http://www.biologicalservices.com.au/aphidius.html

[Bidadisndat]

Last season I thought I was doing well until finding that the ladybirds overrunning the veggie garden were the 28-spot variety. They're something you don't want, so it pays to check out any ladybirds you do see.

[Shane]

I find them to be a little difficult to control. My habit is to spray weekly with Dipil and Seasol mix which appears to keep most pests down to a managable level. Weekly spraying is the key.

Hi Murray,
Could you give me a rough estimate of how much Dipel & Seasol you add per litre of water?

Cheers,
Shane.

[fishfood]

I find dipel powder in a salt shaker is good

[Murray]

I have a 1 ltr sprayer, the type you can get at any garden shop.
I get 4 x treatments per satchel of Dipel. I also add about 2 caps of Seasol.
But lately I have been using Molasses and Dipel .
It is working very well.

[DALE]

dipel is only made for catapillars. I believe that if you foliar feed ur plants the more likely u are in controling most pests as it makes the plants stronger against insect attacks.
Try 125mls milk with 2 caps seasol plus a few drops of dish washing detergent and 1.5 to 2litres water once mixed shake well then spray as a foliar spray.

if ur plants are seedlings use 2lts water if plants are a good size use 1.5lts water

[Tsaphah]

Does that also work for red spider mites? Found some on my Egg plant leaves this morning.

[Shane]

OK, thanks Dale, Murray & FF.
Aphids have become a problem for me last couple of weeks...hopefully your info will help take care of them.
Cheers,
Shane.

[stucco]

I’ve been wondering what is killing my eggplants. Are these what you have tsaphah? Red spider mites make sense, but the pics I’ve goggled do not look the same. Not that it matters my thuricide isn’t working.