tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3642807619836239233.post3678656891445815630..comments2023-05-01T11:57:53.201-04:00Comments on Just Off the One-Lane Road: Attack of the Sap Suckers!Elorahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04579555623060708938noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3642807619836239233.post-35668687243044827792012-04-06T10:17:03.796-04:002012-04-06T10:17:03.796-04:00Many thanks, Jim! Great information!! Thanks too ...Many thanks, Jim! Great information!! Thanks too for the explanation about the DE not getting into the gut of the insects. I think the soapy water trick would be best, too. We're going to give it a try. <br />EloraElorahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04579555623060708938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3642807619836239233.post-17336274829126250742012-04-05T20:04:01.648-04:002012-04-05T20:04:01.648-04:00Elora, aphids have piercing/sucking mouth parts so...Elora, aphids have piercing/sucking mouth parts so diatomaceous earth won't make it into the gut. Instead, the silica is scratching the surface of their cuticle and causing them to dessicate. You can achieve the same result by spraying them with soapy water. The soap washes away the oils from the cuticle and causes the aphids to dessicate. With either approach, you'll want to spray the plants with plain water to wash them off after the aphids are gone. Personally, I like the soapy water approach. JimWayfarin' Strangerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00806995797136803377noreply@blogger.com