mystlw if you have patience you can get rid of aphids naturally. I always get a ton of aphids in the Spring. But I refuse to spray them and the garden hose method doesn't seem to phase them. But if I just let them run rampant in the garden eventually (typically 3-4 weeks later) I start seeing ladybugs. Nothing clears out aphids like ladybugs! The first year I maybe got one or two ladybugs. But then each year I got more. Now, since they know my yard is a buffet, they lay eggs and I get generations of ladybugs that handle the aphids all season long (well late autumn is still an issue). The first year of damage is hard but trust me, the ladybugs will come and stay if they know there is a good food source. And since I'm in the middle of a major city I'm sure you'll get them quicker than I did! And yes, my ants farm aphids also.
