Just realized I have a slight aphid infestation on 2-3 of my bigger flowering plants. Already sprayed with a vinegar, soap, garlic solution. They weren’t completely cleared, wanted something more potent or that will remove them all (and their friends mites, ants, etc).
The 3 biggest in this pic, especially the tall one by itself are infected.
I wish I had neem, peppermint or rosemary oil to make a better natural pesticide but all I have is those two (Eucalyptus and Cinnamon oil). Has anyone here used either of those before? I’m just wondering if it’ll be safe to smoke after harvest (I was planning on washing the buds in water before drying, if that would help clean them). Or if someone that improvises knows another natural homemade pesticide that’ll get rid of those aphids and hopefully ants too. I’m all ears
Thanks for any and all help.
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Try planting companion plants that would attract lace wings, lady beetles, asian multicoloured lady beetles etc to prevent aphid outbreaks in the future.
Ladybugs will be attracted into your garden with pollen-rich blooms. Flat-topped flowers such as yarrow, angelica, fennel and dill are great, along with common companion plants like calendula, sweet alyssum and marigold.Eradicate ant hills around your outdoor so they dont harvest and protect the aphids. Blast your plants with water to knock them off daily and if you can grab a leaf blower use that in reverse to vaccum them of the plants.
Neem def isn’t safe to smoke and i wouldn’t spray neem on flowers but I’m not sure about cinnamon and eucalyptus I would assume cinnamon would have a flavour?
Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful and good luck with the battle
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I grow indoor but I do have a rose garden. I keep a Rove Beetle farm inside and each year I release a good amount outside, into the roses(which reminds me that I need to do that). These little bug, if you’re not familiar, are bad ass! They eat all kinds of bad bugs including aphids AND ants. Sneaky beetles evolved disguise to look like ants, then eat them | New Scientist
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I wouldn’t begin to know where to get those from, I’m in Jamaica now. If I was still living in the states I wouldn’t be having this discussion but my resources here are limited. Which is why I have to use more of what I have access to around me and do more improvising. I can’t just drive to a store or order online what I need like I used to be able to. It’s a bit frustrating but I’m a make the most of it and still prevail. Thanks for your suggestion though. I’d get some ladybugs or praying mantis, if I could go that route.
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I would have to look around and try to transplant some from somewhere, growing them from seed won’t be an option in my current situation. Plus I’m doing a rooftop grow (if you seen my pics above), will they still find their way to the roof?
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A weak dilution of hydrogen peroxide and water and spray them fully. It should kill them and other insects so not ideal for outdoors but Id risk being called a non organic insect murderer.
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