Jim, Can you keep us updated on your aphid situation. I'm gathering as much info as possible. Among a few other things, I have been battling aphids constantly for about 2 years now. It's interesting that you think they started on your spinach. What has really stood out to me is that each of the aphids has their own preferred menu. I have had plants right next to each other but the ones that love brassicas won't touch the celery or peas or anything but the brassicas. They all have been like that so far.
Up until this month the worst monsters I had loved my plum trees. I finally got rid of them on 2 trees by spraying with soapy water one day and then for 2 more days I would keep washing them off. I did that again and again until they finally gave up. But they would not leave my Satsuma plum alone and I couldn't stop them. They attacked it so bad for so long not only did the leaves curl up but entire branches curled up permanently. It took me all summer to get rid of them. I started spraying them with permethrins every 2-3 weeks to kill them. And then rotten garlic water every few days to repel them and I think it maybe/might have helped some. I'm watching every day now for the battle to begin again.
But this month I've had brand new 'Super Ninja' aphids attacking my brassicas that are going to seed. These are a gray/bluish color. I think I need an exorcist! This is what I'm up against. In this picture I have already sprayed this branch with water like a fire hose! They don't come off at all! And I sprayed with soapy water, nothing. Then thick soapy water, nothing. Then Neem oil. It killed some of them but many of them were still alive and thriving! And this is how it looked yesterday. They were spreading over all the plants. So today I cut off all the infected branches and sprayed again. I don't use permethrins unless I have no other choice.
Anyway, I haven't had them on my tomatoes and peppers yet. They're some of the very few things I didn't think they liked! Please let us know how it goes.
