Thursday, June 26, 2008

We've Got Bugs!

So I noticed a month or two ago that our nice big tree in our backyard had shiny leaves. I honestly don't know a whole lot about plants or trees, but I was pretty sure they weren't shiny last year. I left it at that and didn't think too much more about it.

I went out back the other day to put my girls in the swing set, which is partially under the tree. This is where I notice that the grass below my feet is a little sticky. Also there is a sticky build up on my girls' swings. Yuck!

So I get taking a closer look at my tree and the bottom branches are just not hanging right and the leaves look awful! I call my neighbor over to have a look and we notice little black bugs all over. Then we take an even closer look and see teeny tiny little white(ish) specs on the tops of the leaves. Like I said, I don't know a lot about plants. I honestly had no idea...

(See how the leaves look wet? And sticky? And those little whitish yellowish things?)

But I do now! They're called aphids. And they are sucking the life out of my tree! It's kind of like lice only for plants. Ewe! A lot of people think they only attack rose bushes but that's not true. And they are easier to control on rose bushes. My sister says she sprays them with a solution she bought to get rid of them. Someone else told me he puts something in the soil by his rosebushes and keeps them under control. I don't know if that would work with a big tree, too??

Anyway, I am glad I don't have to lose my tree. I was a little worried about it. Apparently all I have to do is spray it (with a good amount of water pressure) with a dish soap/water solution. This will definitely be a pain in the butt since this tree is monstrous, but like I said, at least I get to keep my tree.

So, beware the aphids! I definitely let mine get too bad before I took action. I will be more tree observant from now on!

Jaime Sig

10 comments:

Jocasta said...

Love the new signature - is it new or am I just not very observant!

Anonymous said...

yikes!

Good luck with the massive spraying, hope it solves the situation.

Bugs are no fun!

Tonya Staab said...

I hate those annoying little pests, in my last house I had a gorgeous kitchen window that I would endlessly be trying to grow herbs in but oh no, everytime I tried the aphids would come. How they got into the house was beyond me, but they did, the loved my garden window :(. Hope you are able to get rid of the pesky critters.

Stephanie said...

Good luck with your mission! Look out aphids!

I am Arizona; a person, not a place. said...

I don't know how practical this is, but you can purchase lady bugs. They love aphids. I used to buy ladybugs every year when we had acreage and I never had aphid problems in my garden (we had a ton of ladybugs, though!! LOL!).

Carissa(GoodnCrazy) said...

I've never had any luck with the spray 'em off treatment? Let me know how it goes...?

Connie said...

Hey Jaime....I somehow missed your blog when I set up google reader...I just thought you weren't posting...I was going to say that ladybugs are supposed to be great aphid killers...you can buy them at Home Depot....good luck!!

Are You Serious! said...

♡ I thought aphids where just on Roses too! Crazy!

Debra said...

Those things are SO annoying!!! They are killing my pepper plants and my grren beans and peas.

I am off to the store tomorrow to get ladybugs!!!

girlytwins said...

What a bummer. At least you got to keep your tree.