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Gimme3 · May 14, 2007

Wingless aphids are toted up to the prime new tender growth areas of several garden plants...by Ants. I keep tryin to find mild ways to help our native ants, but...alas...this is what a native ant does...))) U can blow the aphids off with a directed stream of water(sometimes you have to hold the plant whilst doing so, to not knock it over)..and the Ants will have to re-group an try an re-build the Farm. Im experimenting in several ways...to try an see if theres a way...the native ants need for honeydew, could be satisfied or deterred.... One of the things im kinda thinkin might be helpful , is pinestraw. Or...some call it pine needles. If you ponder the work...that ants have to do to tote aphids up a trunk of a plant, place them in position...an work their Farm...an then ponder how high you can mulch around a plant w/pinestraw...so as to create literal hell for them to struggle an try an climb thru, plus a little DE (diatomaceous earth)...then..u might understand where im leadin ya. Knock em off w/water, an disturb/rearrange mulch. Make the ants work their tails off tryin to keep up w/changin scenarios. As soon as a Tomato gets strong, if it does...its natural defenses cause it to become far less desirable for honeydew production. Ants like to Farm...young tender plants/growth.

a Wingless aphid can not place itself in a position to milk a plant. It requires an ant, to take it to the Right Spot.If you knock them off w/water streams...they will need assistance to return...but come back in 30 minutes, an you will SEE jus that...ants totin em back up the stem. After it grows wings...i think it continues a few more days predating...but soon leaves naturally, propably to go breed, lay eggs an die.

Aphids are a very interestin study, an a creature that has a symbiotic relationship w/sugar-eating ants, as well as some hybridized fireants.

The Real Key...over the Long Haul, is for the plant's environment and health to be Good. Plants w/strong aspirations/capabilities, defend themselves eventually...quite well against aphid attack, an thats why the ants move their farmin operations over to weaker plant.. Plants that find themselves somehow weakened ...thru a plethora of other possible means/conditions...find it hard to fight...so many obstacles at one time.

Good Luck..)))

May 14, 2007	#6
Gimme3 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Northeast Georgia, USA Posts: 348	Wingless aphids are toted up to the prime new tender growth areas of several garden plants...by Ants. I keep tryin to find mild ways to help our native ants, but...alas...this is what a native ant does...))) U can blow the aphids off with a directed stream of water(sometimes you have to hold the plant whilst doing so, to not knock it over)..and the Ants will have to re-group an try an re-build the Farm. Im experimenting in several ways...to try an see if theres a way...the native ants need for honeydew, could be satisfied or deterred.... One of the things im kinda thinkin might be helpful , is pinestraw. Or...some call it pine needles. If you ponder the work...that ants have to do to tote aphids up a trunk of a plant, place them in position...an work their Farm...an then ponder how high you can mulch around a plant w/pinestraw...so as to create literal hell for them to struggle an try an climb thru, plus a little DE (diatomaceous earth)...then..u might understand where im leadin ya. Knock em off w/water, an disturb/rearrange mulch. Make the ants work their tails off tryin to keep up w/changin scenarios. As soon as a Tomato gets strong, if it does...its natural defenses cause it to become far less desirable for honeydew production. Ants like to Farm...young tender plants/growth. a Wingless aphid can not place itself in a position to milk a plant. It requires an ant, to take it to the Right Spot.If you knock them off w/water streams...they will need assistance to return...but come back in 30 minutes, an you will SEE jus that...ants totin em back up the stem. After it grows wings...i think it continues a few more days predating...but soon leaves naturally, propably to go breed, lay eggs an die. Aphids are a very interestin study, an a creature that has a symbiotic relationship w/sugar-eating ants, as well as some hybridized fireants. The Real Key...over the Long Haul, is for the plant's environment and health to be Good. Plants w/strong aspirations/capabilities, defend themselves eventually...quite well against aphid attack, an thats why the ants move their farmin operations over to weaker plant.. Plants that find themselves somehow weakened ...thru a plethora of other possible means/conditions...find it hard to fight...so many obstacles at one time. Good Luck..))) __________________ ....Can you tell a green Field.....from a cold steel rail ? Roger Waters, David Gilmour