By Kathleen Cardinal
It could be the neighbor with the long nose, or the barking dog at 3:00 a.m. For those who love the out of doors, it is likely the mosquitoes and chiggers that drive you crazy. For gardeners, there are hundreds of insects that challenge us. Today we will single out two of the most common nuisances: aphids and spider mites.
Aphids are those tiny round bugs (color can be brown, green, or black) that suck the life out of any plant—roses for sure. Have you ever looked at a rose bud stem covered with tiny green bugs? Those are likely aphids. They thrive on the underside of foliage. Get your water hose with spray attachment and blast them off your plants. You want a fine but strong spray. Do this often because it helps interrupt their reproductive cycle.
Spider mites can be controlled the same way. These insects are barely visible to the naked eye, but if you see foliage that is discolored and starting to curl. Then look at the underside of the leaves. You will see tiny “spider webs”. Try blasting them with water every 3 days for 2 weeks. This breaks the egg-laying cycle.
If you choose chemical control, read the label carefully. We have a number of effective products, but be mindful of the environment. Protect yourself, other people and pets.
Kathleen Cardinal, a Garland County Master Gardener, volunteers with GC Master Gardeners of the UofA Div. of Agriculture, Cooperative Ext. Service. Master Gardeners pool skills and resources to improve home horticulture, stimulate interest in plants and gardening, and encourage beautification. For more info, call 501-623-6841 or email abates@uaex.edu.
