Natural Aphid Pesticide

seanUTD

seanUTD

New Member
My hibiscus has a serious aphid problem and I've tried everything to get them off so I'm moving to that unforgivable P word... Pesticides... But I don't want to kill Stanley so I found this home remedy... Are there any seniors out there who can tell me what the best way to use this remedy would be... Should I take Stanley out of the cage for a while, would this still be dangerous for him? etc etc
Natural Aphid Pesticides: Homemade Lemon Spray
This natural aphid pesticide works as an instant remedy, killing the aphids on contact. To make this natural pesticide, grate the rind of a large lemon. Boil it in enough water to fill a garden spray bottle. Let the mixture sit overnight. Drain the liquid into the garden spray bottle. Spray the aphids and larvae directly. It will cause them to convulse.
 
I know ladybugs will devour aphids, and you can buy them mailorder. Perhaps take out the hibiscus, place in empty cage, release a bunch of ladybugs? Once they are done eating, release the ladybugs to your yard. But if that lemon spray works without potential harm to your chams, I would do that.
 
ladybugs are poisonous to chameleons! There could be some stragglers left behind your cham could eat! So I would not do that! I would get rid of the plant, cleanout the cage and buy a new plant. JMO
 
carol5208 said:
ladybugs are poisonous to chameleons! There could be some stragglers left behind your cham could eat! So I would not do that! I would get rid of the plant, cleanout the cage and buy a new plant. JMO
Click to expand...

You know I was afraid you'd say that /: He loves his hibiscus and I'm definitely unable to return it but I guess it'll be for the best... We'll see about this I bought a pothos anyways so I guess it's time for cage modifications!
 
carol5208 said:
ladybugs are poisonous to chameleons! There could be some stragglers left behind your cham could eat! So I would not do that! I would get rid of the plant, cleanout the cage and buy a new plant. JMO
Click to expand...

That's why I said place in an empty cage ;) but yeah, guess there is a risk of missing a lady bug!
 
The lemon spray works but it may take a couple treatments to completly eliminate aphids.

I would take the plant out of the cage so you can really saturate it and not have worries about Stanley.

Or you can get a few mantis, but Stanley would more then likely eat them before they finish the job lol
 
U could get some young praying manthises =p but if you have bad luck like me.... they pretty much just escape and go hide somewheres XD
 
The lemon spray sounds like a wonderful, non toxic way to do it. But I would take Stanley out. Give him some free time to roam the room. Kudos for finding a safe way for Stanley.

Hubby just bought me the shirt in your avatar.
 
I will definitely try this thanks for the help guys! And Laurie my fiance is very jealous as she desperately wanted that shirt
 
And for those who also have aphid problems this same site said if we put some of our calcium powder at the base of the plant and let it get absorbed the aphids will reject the leaves because they hate calcium... Just thought I would add that for anyone as desperate as me lol:p
 
If you already buy some new plants, just remove the hibiscus and treat it outside the cage. If it works you can always put it back.
 
Aphids

I don't think lemon rind water by itself could really do the trick. For one water exhibits cohesion so you need something (like nontoxic dish soap) to break the water tension. The reason people use canola oil in it is because it actually helps to clog the pores of the aphids themselves. A lid full of rubbing alcohol will help to mix the ingredients.

What i use on my plants: half gallon h2o mixed with 1 T dawn or an alternate organic dish soap. 1 T Canola oil. and 1 dash rubbing alcohol. You can use as much lemon as you like but seeing as it is the acidity that helps i see no reason to just use the rind, it is the least acidic part of the fruit.. mix well and spray on immediately before separation can occur. In the interest of this being in your chams cage id say after application rinse off several times. And it make take several applications to take care of it. gluck!!
no one seems to think the aphids could hurt your cham, i have no idea but i don't see how they could there isn't a whole lot to them, but i still wouldn't want the infestation to get out of hand and aphids can lie dormant in soil!
 so re-pot your plant! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom