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Aphids on Helibores #866805

Asked May 02, 2024, 3:56 PM EDT

For the last two years I have had a large infestation of aphids on my Helibores. Last year I used neem oil and they went away. This year I have used the neem oil twice and the aphids come back. It is a lot of work to clean inside the flowers and leaves. Is there something else that works better? Thank you Cathy Silver Spring, MD

Montgomery County Maryland

Expert Response

Hi Cathy, 

Are the aphids seemingly doing any damage to the hellebores? Have you tried to blast them off with a strong spray of water? You may have to do it repeatedly to knock them off until their population dies down.

We tend to have a large population of aphids emerge in the spring since they are early and as the predatory insects come along, they help reduce them. 

You can also try insecticidal soap which similarly to horticultural oil, is a contact insecticide so you have have to spray directly on them. 

Emily

Answered by the Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC), University of Maryland Extension. For timely gardening information and tips, subscribe to our Maryland Grows blog and quarterly newsletter. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Replied May 03, 2024, 12:29 PM EDT
Thank you.  Last year they are the leaves but I caught them early this year.   They are in the underside of the leaves and flowers so it is hard to spray them.  Will keep trying.
Cathy

On Fri, May 3, 2024, 12:29 PM Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
The Question Asker Replied May 03, 2024, 3:07 PM EDT

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