Nuclear Option?

[Bamanana]

I am getting sick and tired of conservatively chasing aphids around my collection with soaps and alcohol and showers. I just dropped my slicked up Sharry Baby about 4 feet. I hope she survives. SOMEONE please tell me what the nuclear option is for these dastardly little rat bxxxxxds!

[estación seca]

Even if you used the most toxic chemical possible on your plants, the aphids will ALWAYS come back to your collection. They are outside in the garden. Some will once again find their way into your house and reinfest your plants.

This is almost universal with plant pests. Gardeners need to be vigilant and treat as soon as we see something.

Soap solutions do kill them. If your dish soap isn't working, get a soap sold specifically as an insecticidal.

Alcohol does kill them. But you must use 70% alcohol by itself, and not dilute it with soap, nor anything else.

I'm fairly certain Sharry Baby would survive being dropped from several miles in the air, if it didn't freeze on the way down.

[Bamanana]

I’m curious. I’m finding happy sap where I find aphids. Does the sap attract them, or does their dining cause it?

[estación seca]

Orchids produce sap when they're growing well. It doesn't attract the aphids. Aphids also produce honeydew from their posteriors. Both of these attract ants. The idea is the ants defend the source of the sweet drops.

One way to control aphids, mealy bugs and scale in your collection is to control ants. Ants farm these insects, protecting them in exchange for the sweet drops.

[Keysguy]

Orthene. As directed applied weekly for 3 weeks then quarterly.
And wear a mask. The stuff literally stinks but it sure does work!

[thefish1337]

other ideas:

1. over-fertilization: aphids can 'smell' plants with a high nitrate content. do not over fertilize or you will continue to attract them.
2. attract natural predators- plants in the family Apiaceae (think cilantro, fennel, dill, parsley, celery ect) produce flowers which make pollen that is a sought after food for predators. you can attract predatory wasps and hover flies among others. many people pull these plants out when they "go to seed" but a pot with some cilantro in the summer will quickly flower, you can plant a few seeds every few weeks in the same pot to get a continual flush of flowers.
3. scent masking- peppermint and rosemary oil are chemically harmful to aphids and other soft bodied insects as a bonus but they also confuse these pests when they try to find vulnerable plants. there are some guides on youtube that you can use to make a spray.
4. lacewings- you may be able to find a local supplier of lacewing larvae. these are voracious predators that will stay on your collection as long as there is pests to eat.
5. pesticides can work well but if you aren't thorough the aphids will rapidly become resistant. please consider that many pesticides harm bees and the insect predators.

[estación seca]

I would not use Orthene in a house plant. Plus you will select for resistant aphids.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I would not use Orthene in a house plant. Plus you will select for resistant aphids.

Orthene should definitely be used outdoors.

You will select for resistance by using any pesticide improperly, not merely by using orthene. Doing preventive treatments falls in the “improperly” category.

I have found that the “Bio Advanced 3 in 1 Insect, Disease, and Mite control” to be a pretty useful product, but like any other, I subscribe to the “3 times at one week intervals” regimen suggested earlier.

[Keysguy]

I actually rotate between the Orthene and Bayer 3 in 1 when I'm in residence.

My issue is the fact that my orchids are "on their own" for 5 months from May-Oct. I apply the orthene just before I leave and once mid-summer when I am there for a 2-day "maintenance" visit. If I didn't have the orthene option, I suspect I'd be returning to a bugfest after 5 months.

And yes, I only use it outdoors.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Lady bugs
Lace wings

I get them from nature’s good guys