I've noticed aphids infesting three of my Brussels sprouts. I've tried using ladybugs for pest control, but I'm worried that the hot and dry weather might be impacting their effectiveness. I'm considering whether I should just remove the affected plants altogether. What do you all think?
3 Answers
Don't be too hasty to rip out your plants! I know folks who grow Brussels just to attract aphids away from the rest of their garden. You could just let them be and remove the Brussels later in the season; maybe toss them into a fire for good measure!
The decision really depends on how bad the infestation is. Start by spraying them off with water and handpicking if you can. I'd keep removing plants as a last resort. Maybe check if fertilizing your plants is leading to more aphids; a good water wash might help reduce them.
You might want to try neem oil! It's been really effective for me on my tomatoes against aphids. It's worth a shot before thinking of getting rid of your plants.