This past week I have been finding aphid-type bugs on my brassicas. Other than just being yucky to look at, are they harmful to my plants? If so, what can I do about them??
Aphids in large numbers can weaken a plant by sucking juices from it. If you aren't harvesting right now, a good soap bath will take care of them. Use insecticidal soap (1 quart water, 1 tblsp. soap like Ivory or Dreft, a tsp. vegetable oil)and spray directly on the insects. Just rinse your vegetables really well before eating.
right mg! i also wanted to add that after a few minutes, be sure to wash the spray off the plants or the sun will burn them. i use just a bit of Dawn (original) and water for a spray.
Yes, ladybugs are great pest control if you have them AND they want that particular dinner. I have many ladybugs on my corn and some aphids on some tomatoes fairly close and they aren't even interested in the aphid crop there. i would eat pests off the corn too, if I was a ladybug.
