Bubbles: Thanks for sharing this great tip regarding the control of Aphids. An elderly neighbor told me about using the soapy water method for Aphids and other plant pests back @ 1970, and I still use soapy water today!

Yes, always best to go the 'gentle' route before bringing out the really mean chemicals.

Good tip on the aphids, ladybug larva may be feeding on them and none of us want to kill them. They can fly when sprayed! It is always best to check too and know for sure what the bug is before you panic, may be a larvae of a butterfly.

Another great tip. Thank you Bubbles. I will try this next spring on my little native plum tree/bush. As soon as it finishes blooming the aphids attack it. I don't spray because the lady bugs show up about the same time. Problem is the aphids way out number the lady bugs so it takes the a long time to eat them all. By then it has caused the small fruits to drop from the stress. : (

I wish what I found on my Mandevilla this summer was Butterfly llarvae ... unfortunately it was Aphids but soapy water in a spray bottle and then a strong spray from the garden hose took care of them:

Hate aphids! Thanks Sandi for a great reminder!.

Water spray is my method. And you have to check them daily to make sure they stay away. The day after I blasted these aphids off this rose, there were maybe half as many so I blasted them again.
Soapy water will be next but I will do that early in the morning while it's cool so the soap doesn't burn the leaves.

GREAT tip Bubbles

Fabby tip Bubbles! I have aphid cities. The eggs overwinter on my Mayday tree and Cottonyaster hedge. I find if I blast those with cold water just before the leaves open in the spring my population is greatly reduced. I also grow sacrifical lupins which they prefer to my roses. Thank you lupins

Thanks Sandi!!! I bought some Neem oil and haven't used it yet. Do you follow the directions on the bottle?

Jeri, I try to follow directions, but as my DH can attest to, I'm not very good at it. It depends on how many bugs I have. 'A little less on aphids, a little more on other bugs.

Lin, that's a great pic of aphids!

Thanks Sandi I'll give it a try.

thanks for the reminder... just happened to check my pussy willow for those big nasty willow aphids today

I don't have much alive so the aphids are baking in my yard. har har!

A friend gave me some instructions on using Neem oil and it seems to be working very well for controlling mites.
1 qt spritz bottle
1 tsp. cold pressed Neem oil (I'm not sure if I have the cold pressed but this is working)
Add to a pint of hot water with a few drops of Murphy's Oil Soap OR dish soap.
Shake well then add a pint of rubbing alcohol. You end up with 50/50 water alcohol mix. Shake frequently as you mist. Cover plant completely and don't forget to spritz under leaves as well.

I ended up not using as much rubbing alcohol and just add it as I need and it still seems to work fantastic.

I bet that would work great for mealy bugs too

Hi Onewish, I have a hard time being able to tell one bug from another lol But it probably would work well.