Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Looking for some advice on what to do to get rid of aphids. Last year I grew strawberries in my garage and they were loaded with aphids. I was taking the plants out and hosing them off under the sink. They always came back and eventually killed the plants. I replaced them with lettuce and cucumbers which did great. Trying strawberries again with only 2 plants and I see there are aphids on them again. Any suggestions? There is tilapia in the tank so I would prefer not to have to use chemicals.
Thanks.

Hi 98Q. Last year I managed my best strawberries to date by growing them in a hanging basket. No aphids for the first time ever. Another thing I do which sounds a bit mmmmm is to collect ladybirds and put them on my infected plants. I squash as many ass possible every day and let the ladybirds do the rest. It's time consuming and repetitive but also therapeutic and good for the garden.

The only problem with hanging baskets is they need daily watering. This year I am going to make a wicking bed style hanging basket, water it with AP water and see if it improves growth. I report back at the end of summer......

Something I just thought of when looking at your pictures......... My hanging baskets were at the side of my house and there is always a wind or a breeze. Maybe aphids don't like that. Your garage is very still in comparison. Just a thought.

Have you tried netting the plants?

I have sent the Lady-Bug troops after them with great success.

I would get rid of all your plants clean up thoroughly and start again .

Grow your own plants from seed most pests come on the plants

If you want plants like strawberries quarantine them and deal with any pests before you introduce them

Aphids are a pain they don't need to mate females have the abiity to reproduce from a SINGLE aphid and quickly take over later in the season males turn up and they lay eggs to over winter.

So know your enemy research aphid life cycle

Have to check all the time and do less sooner , kill any you see as 1 aphid will lay 5 more , a week later they all lay 5 more quickly turns into hundreds and thousands .

Thank you everyone. How long do you think aphids could live underwater? So if I submerged the plant for an hr maybe it would kill them or over night. I'll work on cleaning everything up a bit. If I can't get rid of them I'll chuck everything and start over. Can aphids fly? I was thinking of mounting the grow tube higher when I start over. Like the hanging basket idea.

For aphids you can use Neem. Won't harm the fish. Or you can go organic with lemon juice. Here's how ... http://www.wildflowerhour.co.uk/blog/20 ... ganically/

from http://npic.orst.edu/factsheets/neemgen.html
Can neem oil affect birds, fish, or other wildlife?

Neem oil is practically non-toxic to birds, mammals, bees and plants. Neem oil is slightly toxic to fish and other aquatic organisms. Azadirachtin, a component of neem oil, is moderately toxic to fish and other aquatic animals. It is important to remember that insects must eat the treated plant to be killed. Therefore, bees and other pollinators are not likely to be harmed.

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I use Dr Earth spray which is a garlic-pepper type spray. Organic, environmentally friendly and seems to do a good job on aphids, etc.

I also water blast aphids off my strawberries and try to manage the ants that farm them. After a good wash down I will spray with Dr E.

I have used neem but I am VERY CAREFUL to put down plastic or similar so it does not get into my GBs / water system. Be sure you don't use it before rain, etc. I used only Dr Earth last year with good success. Either my insect outbreaks were mild or Dr Earth was doing it's job. My stuff is all outdoor and I find that with good air circulation (fewer plants farther apart) my aphids problems are manageable. I've had huge infestations with high density leafy plantings.