It seems I have am infestation of aphids on a pot plant. The plant was covered in ants which is a sign and when I checked the leaves sure enough I saw aphids.
I want then gone and I want them dead but don't want to use chemicals.
I heard 1 teaspoon of dish soap in a spray bottle filled with water does the trick. If so do i spray the whole plant or just the leaves?
Is this the case of are chemicals the only way?

You shouldn't be growing pot. End of.

However, most of the aphids will get high and then get the munchies.

Any soap solution you spray on them will just make them giggle.

I live in Amsterdam so pot plants are encouraged

Barry, I like ladybirds (note not ladyboys) but none are around

Shove your ladybirds up your arse Barry.



Lacewing larvae are the main men in the aphid predator corps.

"Aphids breathe through their skin. Spraying with diluted washing up liquid clogs up their skin and causes them to literally suffocate. Their brains are unable to detect pain according to the majority of research, so don't worry unduly about any pain this may cause!"

From bottom of this link

MM knows aphids

Just rub them off with your fingers or use a hose pipe to wash the buggers off.

You won't get them all, but you'll get enough to save the plant from damage - the rest will be eaten soon enough. The ladybirds are on their way (late as usual!! )

What they don't get the blue tits, hover flies & lacewings will have - well done for not using chemicals btw!!

I have loads on my new apple tree but i also have loads of very fat and happy ladybirds

My plants are on a terrace 3 floors up so not sure lacewings can get there!

If they suffer pain then they shouldn't attack my plants!

I know that contraceptive techniques has been tried with some troublesome species, but wouldn't this be a bit time consuming?

They've got wings mate.......the clues in the name.

Rebecca Loose did it with a pig

So did Jack Tweed.


or is that wrong?

Too soon

Thought they may have been some kind of insect that tries to trick people with it's name

Well send those ladybirds my way . Not one to be found here

what you want to do is entise them in with some aphids

Hey ladybirds - want to see some ahpids?!!


You can buy ladybird eggs by mail order - all ready to hatch on your terrace!
Wiggly Wigglers are bound to do them, as is this place.

Nope, I don't do um ......

Home made spray of water with some crushed garlic in. Onion could be used too they say, but garlic they really don't like the smell. Even planting some garlic near stuff helps a bit.

Just read that fennel, dill, parlsey attract lady birds. Two birds one stone there. Herbs to use and aphid predators a plenty. I like that.

Hmmm, maybe a musical group of lovely ladies with devils dumplings on show playing some tunes. Could be more interesting and have an affect on the aphids or take your mind off the aphids at least.....

Life is busy - use chemical swhen you have to

(I've got a varied garden attracting all sorts of bugs/ladybirds/lacewings/bees but that isn't always enough)

and





I agree it is nice not to use chemicals, but at the end of the day, they work, whereas non-chemical treatments only work to a point and the little gits will soon be back. Just spray chemicals responsibly, on a calm evening when the bees have packed up and gone home. We aren't talking about gallons of the stuff here which will pollute your whole neighbourhood.