Arghhh Aphids

[ThornyGardener]

Aphids just about destroyed my waterlilies the past two years. Pads, stems, leaves, buds -- all were encased. Hosing them off did nothing, and in my crowded pond most of the ones I sprayed off were just blown to another lily.

I just saw a folklore suggestion to plant peppermint in a vegetable garden to deter aphids and a lightbulb went off: Mint can be grown as a marginal. Has anyone tried growing mint in their pond to repel aphids from waterlilies?

Anyone have an idea for pre-treating surrounding soil to kill the buggers before they wake up in the next few weeks?

PS: Just read about making a spray from water steeped in tomato leaves to repel aphids. (Nightshade plants have mild toxin.) Do you think this would be toxic to goldfish?

[dperry]

The toxin in tomatoes is tomatine and doesn't appear to be a problem for fish.  In fact, there is research that shows it may prevent some kinds of tumors in some fish.

http://naldc.nal.usda.gov/download/17667/PDF

[ThornyGardener]

Cool! This is not going to be an aphid-friendly pond this year. Now I just have to worry about the japanese beetles who have developed a fondness for the buds and blooms.

[greenthumbnails]

I had a really bad problem with aphids last year too! I was not as consistent with hosing off with garden hose as was also battling the Taco Men too (China Mothmark?) I am loaded up on dipel dust this year and will make a better effort to get out there and physically push them off the leaves if they will not leave after hosing down!

[howardTheHumble]

We had huge problems with aphids when I lived in a metro area.  We controlled them with a mint and thyme spray.  After they looked sick or dead we washed what was left into the water with the garden hose.  It was possible to keep ahead of them with enough effort.

Here we do not have any significant problem with them.  We think it is due to the large population of praying mantis that have built up.  We find their egg cases on everything from shovel handles to door jams.

[ThornyGardener]

Ooooo, HtH, killer mantises. Love it. I've never seen one in my yard, though, so I'm off to Amazon now to buy 'em.

(Tomato and mint spray also sound pretty good.)