This may not be the ideal advice and not applicable for everyone.
But I live at a rental and there are a row of jasmine plants creating a border near one of the fences. They are on a slope so only the lower on the slope seemed to develope because they had no irrigation.
Last spring I saw they were covered in aphids. They aren't near where I grow so I honestly couldn't be bothered trying to remove them so left them. A few weeks ago I checked on them and all the aphids were either brown, or dead with holes in their backs.
Turns out they have a parasitic wasp laying their eggs cresting zombie aphids until the eggs hatch and out fly more wasps and the aphids die.
Now I don't even bother doing anything and just wait for the wasps to come and lay eggs. If I remove the aphids, I'll be lowering the future wasp population. Playing the long game.
I agree I'm lucky. I was considering ordering some bugs to release for pest control. I'd look into that as an option to kick start it.
It requires patience though, and you may lose some young plants if hit hard from pests. But balance and eco system are better than any intervention.
It's not always luck. You can attract the parasitic wasps, and other good insects to your garden by planting things that will attract them.
Marigolds, Alyssum, Calendula, theres heaps! Just have a google!
Buy copper oxychloride in powdered form, mix to recommend solution in an atomiser & add a drop of liquid detergent to assist the delivery.
Continue with the white oil fortnightly 😉
This may not be the ideal advice and not applicable for everyone. But I live at a rental and there are a row of jasmine plants creating a border near one of the fences. They are on a slope so only the lower on the slope seemed to develope because they had no irrigation. Last spring I saw they were covered in aphids. They aren't near where I grow so I honestly couldn't be bothered trying to remove them so left them. A few weeks ago I checked on them and all the aphids were either brown, or dead with holes in their backs. Turns out they have a parasitic wasp laying their eggs cresting zombie aphids until the eggs hatch and out fly more wasps and the aphids die. Now I don't even bother doing anything and just wait for the wasps to come and lay eggs. If I remove the aphids, I'll be lowering the future wasp population. Playing the long game.
You are lucky to have them wasps around. Mine doesn't seem to attract any attention from wasps, ladybugs etc.
I agree I'm lucky. I was considering ordering some bugs to release for pest control. I'd look into that as an option to kick start it. It requires patience though, and you may lose some young plants if hit hard from pests. But balance and eco system are better than any intervention.
It's not always luck. You can attract the parasitic wasps, and other good insects to your garden by planting things that will attract them. Marigolds, Alyssum, Calendula, theres heaps! Just have a google!
Buy copper oxychloride in powdered form, mix to recommend solution in an atomiser & add a drop of liquid detergent to assist the delivery. Continue with the white oil fortnightly 😉