Little red bugs on boulevard plants - Ask Extension
Hello. I have a boulevard garden with several plants, including false sunflower. I have noticed a bunch of little red bugs on the sunflowers, mostly...
Knowledgebase
Little red bugs on boulevard plants #938923
Asked July 11, 2026, 1:18 PM EDT
Hello. I have a boulevard garden with several plants, including false sunflower. I have noticed a bunch of little red bugs on the sunflowers, mostly hanging out on the stems. I believe these are aphids but not positive. My question is this: I didn't see them at all last year. Is the return of the bugs related to the weather or did I do something to scare off the predator bugs? Is this anything that I should do to reduce the population of the bugs this summer or prevent them from returning next summer. Thank you!!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
Those bugs are very likely red aphids, as you have guessed. They love false sunflowers but rarely cause damage. As you have also guessed, their numbers may be due to our unusual weather this past year. Use a high-pressure hose to remove them if you find them unsightly and avoid pesticides that kill their natural predators. For more information see
https://ipm-cahnr.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3216/2024/06/aphidsghs.pdf
https://ipm-cahnr.media.uconn.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/3216/2024/06/aphidsghs.pdf
