skip to main content

Herbs - Australia

Chives & aphids

20 years ago

Sigh, I just had to throw out my beautiful and (previously) thriving chives and garlic chives due to a massive aphid infestation. I should have nipped it in the bud earlier, but was flat out with work & study, and kept thinking 'I'll do it later'. Anyway, by the time 'later' arrived, the chives were smothered by aphids and beyond help. Well, I suppose I could have tried cutting them right back, but to be honest, the quantities of aphids were so awful I just threw the lot in the bin. It was a real shame, as I have been nurturing those chives for 4 years, and this was the best & healthiest year ever.

Well, I will start a new batch this year. If aphids appear again, would pyrethrum be okay (on an edible herb) or should I use other methods?

Featured Answer

Daisyduckworth

20 years ago

Try to be grateful! The chives were only doing their job. They ATTRACT aphids away from other plants, like roses.

No need to get rid of the chives. Get rid of the aphids instead:

Mix together 1 teaspoon Condy's crystals, 1 tablespoon Epsom salts and 1 bucket water, and use to spray plants regularly. Once a week, tip a few cups of the mixture around the base of the plant. Discontinue once the aphids have gone.
OR
Place sheets of shiny aluminium foil around the base of a plant Â it will reflect the sunlight and deter aphids by ÂblindingÂ them.
OR
Trap aphids in a bowl of detergent containing a few drops of yellow food colouring in it. Aphids are attracted to yellow, and they will land in the dish and drown.

Or simply give them a blast with the hose.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

michael2
20 years ago
I have never had chives attract aphids.
The only thing that ever attacked them were thrips
(They look like little black aphids)
Place a chive over a rose infested with aphis(green) and the aphis will go away
Related Discussions
ugly fungus on chives
Q
Comments (1)
Chives get aphids. And lots of them. Usually black ones. Beyond that, can you post a photo?
...See More
OT..In praise of Chives!
Q
Comments (34)
Ditto on the Chives, Donn I LOVE my garlic chives. They go into just about everything. Put them in tossed salad, they give them a great taste and look. Put them in potato salad...ditto. Put them in sauce or whatever I stir fry or as part of a marinade...yummm...and they just keep coming all season. I think I need to grow more. You know what else I like that I knew next to nothing about before I WSed it? Lovage. It tastes like a stronger version of celery and it is wonderful in chicken salad, nice in stews or tossed salads...You can use the leaves or the stalks and you just use less of it than celery (the flavor goes a long way). And it's perennial! Linda
...See More
Aphids already
Q
Comments (12)
This is an article I found a few weeks ago about soapy water and aphids: Nasty green "bugs" Dear Roger: I have 2 roses in a pot on front veranda in direct sun that I planted last year. I pruned them back three weeks ago and have new early buds showing. Yesterday I noticed tiny green "bugs" on all the new buds. I also have a new ÂKnockoutÂ rose that I put in the ground to the side of my veranda, also in full sun. This one was in a bag. And on checking, I also saw the tiny green "bugs." I spayed them with a solution of soap and water and today the "bugs" could be rubbed off. What could they have been ? Â Betsy, Whiteville Dear Betsy: The bugs sound like aphids, which are very common on new growth of roses in spring. Your treatment of these insects was just right. They may return. But another squirt or two of soapy water should do them in. The soap removes the wax that protects them from drying out. They soon dessicate and die. Hope that helps everyone!
...See More
Organic Insect Control in the Home Landscape
Q
Comments (2)
Hi Dawna, Thanks for the kind words. I just wanted to put together a little info sheet for everyone because the pests are so bad this year, and everyone has had a lot of questions. It sure has been raining a lot up your way. I hope all is well there. At least we aren't having to worry about wildfires or a hay shortage this year. Flooding, however, may be this summer's big issue. Dawn
...See More
Jennie60
20 years ago
Smother the b*st*rds with pyrethrum, when they're dead wash them all off. If nothing's resurrectable cut them right back almost to the ground. They'll recover well. Ditto with shallots.
michael2
20 years ago
I too have only ever seen thrips attack Chives (They look like little black aphids).
You could have just washed them off.

Chives planted near roses will help repel ants which in turn farm the green aphid.
If you place a chive leaf over a rose with aphids the aphids will disappear. (The ants take them somewhere else?)
You will always get some aphid attack early in Spring (and late in Autumn) as the lady-birds have not yet emerged.
If you get rid of your aphids the lady-birds will have nothing to eat.
Ladybirds also have a "homing" instinct so will keep coming to your garden if you feed them.
mow_ohui_yahoo_com
16 years ago
Likewise, I've been having problems with aphids on my basil, parsely, oregano and thyme planted in one pot. I have washed them off with water spray, and did it with soap water solution as well. But they are just temporary. They keep coming back, and have exhausted my herbs from being overly watered due to wash off. I am looking for a good remedy that will keep aphids away for good.

Here's what I found out based on my research:
1. High nitrogen feeding attracts aphids
2. Control ants infestation to deter aphids away. Ants and aphids have symbiotic relationships. Ants protects aphids from predators, as they feed on aphids' butt.

Check this out too. This will help you get rid off aphids in so many ways.
http://www.pan-uk.org/Projects/Local/alt~dir/aphids.htm
alan langley-jones
9 years ago
Black aphids in regular and garlic chives - my experience is - Pyrethroids work but need constant application and can be relied upon to kill everything they come in contact with. Much better is Rogor (dimethoate) - a systemic poison - don't apply when chives are flowering. Never seen black aphids on roses - despite heavily infected garlic chives nearby.

Related Stories

HERBS Herb Garden Essentials: How to Grow Chives

By Marianne Lipanovich

This decorative and delicately flavored herb from the onion family is easy to grow indoors and out

EDIBLE GARDENS Garden BFFs? Why Your Vegetables Are Begging for Companion Plants

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Foster friendships among plants for protection from pests, pollination support and color camaraderie

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Ways to Grow Edibles in Small Places

By Matt Kilburn

No big backyard? Join in the grow-your-own fun with these small-space ideas for planting vegetables, fruits and herbs

GARDENING GUIDES Herb Garden Essentials: Grow Your Own Delicious Mint

By Marianne Lipanovich

Pull out a pot for this one. Mint's spreading habit and hard-to-kill nature can be a blessing — if you're properly prepared

EDIBLE GARDENS Natural Ways to Get Rid of Weeds in Your Garden

By Abundant City

Use these techniques to help prevent the spread of weeds and to learn about your soil

COOL-SEASON CROPS Cool-Season Vegetables: How to Grow Salad Greens

By Marianne Lipanovich

From arugula to radicchio, greens have taken a top spot on the table and in fall and winter gardens. See how to start growing them now

FARM YOUR YARD Grow a Kitchen Garden in 16 Square Feet

Got a sunny 4-by-4 space? You can make meals more interesting with your own vegetables and herbs

CONTAINER GARDENS 7 Deer-Resistant Flowers for Your Summer Containers

Grow these as protection for edibles or just for their colorful beauty — deer might not like them, but everyone else will

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

EARTH DAY How to Design a Garden for Native Bees

By Debbie Ballentine

Create a garden that not only looks beautiful but also nurtures native bees — and helps other wildlife in the process

Sponsored

Miller Woodworks

23 Reviews

Franklin County's Trusted Custom Cabinetry Solutions