I have Aphids I believe!!!! Need Help

[Stoned2Long]

I believe I have Aphids (small green caterpiler looking suckers and I'm almost ready to pull my plant. If anyone has any suggestions as to where I can get Ladybus and how long it will take for them to clean my plant I would greatly appreciate it. I'm in South Orange County and don't drive so it needs to be local.

[StonerGrower]

Just use Neem oil.

[FreakNature]

If they are aphids (these are small fat juicy flying critters - you can often see wings and legs - definitely not a caterpillar type of bug) you can hose them off if you aren't concerned about mold at this point. You also want to kill any ants...they can help aphids by treating them like a herd of cows, tending them and milking the honeydew off of the aphids and eating it. They are often seen streaming up and down the stem of a plant that has aphids.

Ladybugs do eat aphids, but their larvae (small black soft wingless insects with orange markings that do look more caterpillar-like) eat much more.

To kill the ants you can use diatomaceous earth as an organic option. This powder, available at many garden supply locations, is made from the skeletons of microscopic sea creatures and it acts like broken glass to lacerate the exoskeleton of the offending insect, causing them to dry out and die. It's very effective on ants. To a human and to animals it's non-toxic, but I wouldn't want to breathe in the fine power.

[Dr. 215]

I dunno what part of South Orange County, but if Laguna Beach is close, there is a great garden supply center with everything you could possibly need, including pest control. Check them out. What city you in?

[Stoned2Long]

We are in Mission Viejo so yeah that would be a great help!!!!!!!1!!!! Also thanks to all who replied!!!!!!