Last year my honeysuckle vine was infested with aphids. I
don't want to use chemicals because the hummingbirds feed on the nectar. Do you
know of any way or of any product that's environmentally safe and will take
care of the aphids?
Patience and a little help
from nature will often take care of the problem. A heavy rain, hungry bird or ladybeetle will help keep the
aphid populations in check. You
can lend a helping hand and still enjoy the hummingbirds. Spray the aphid infested branches with
a strong blast of water. This is
often enough to keep the populations down and minimize the damage. The next step is insecticidal soap,
Neem or another eco-friendly product labeled for aphid control. This insecticidal soap is just a soap
that has been formulated to be gentle on plants. Neem is a plant derived insecticide. Repeat applications may be needed. Fortunately the honeysuckles are tough
plants and can tolerate the aphid feeding even though it looks bad. Photo: Scott Bauer, USDA ARS