utdeedee, This technique is called Companion Planting. It's not so much getting rid of pests, but deterring them. And also to attract beneficial insects that eat the pests we do not want. You can also look up Intercropping , here is a good place to start: Intercropping Principles and Production Practices. There is also an entire forum here at GW devoted to the topic: GardenWeb Companion Plants Forum Here is a link that might be useful: Lengthy List of Companion Plants

You can simply hose aphids off with a strong steam of water. Works well on most plants. Another common remedy is to spray the aphids with a mild soapy water spray - 1T of liquid soap in 1 gallon of water (never make it any stronger) and aim for the bugs rather than drenching the plant. Search 'aphid control' here for many other discussions on them. Dave

Sevin, Carbaryl, is a very broad spectrum poison that will kill beneficial insects as well as the target insect, and has been so overused over time that many insects are developing immunities to that product and so it is no longer effective against them in some places. If the sharp spray of water, which does need to be repeated often and frequently, does not work (keep in mind that many people do not understand the life cycle of an aphid and will claim that sharp spray of water will not work because they know not) maybe, possibly you might need to move up the toxicity ladder to Neem products or pyrethrins which also are very broad spectrum poisons that will kill any insect, good, bad, or indifferent, they contact. Aphids will start to produce live young almost as soon as they are born, live, themselves so by the time you see any Aphids on your plants you could easily have 5, or more generations of Aphids there. Spraying those you see off your plants leaves a vacancy for the next generation to move in. Those you knock off are not smart enough to know where they came from and do not climb back up, they will however starve to death since they do not know where their food source is. So you knock some Aphids off today and tomorrow there are more that need to be knocked off, not the same ones you already did. Knock those off, keeping in mind the buggers have been producing more young that will appear in a bit for you to knock off. The best control for Aphids is however to be sure the soil your plants are growing in is a good and healthy soil that will produce strong and healthy plants that are better able to withstand insect pests. Plants that have a lot of insect pests on them are telling you there is a problem that needs to be addressed, and that most often involves the soil.

I'm a newbie to gardening. I'm growing some veggies for the first time. My Purple Hull Peas appear to have some Black Aphids on them. At least that's what I've been told they are. I really don't know. I bought 1500 Lady Bugs. I released them per the instructions. - Stored them in the refrigerator. - Took them out and warmed them up for about 30 to 40 minutes. - Released half at dusk on the first night. - Released the other half at dusk on the second night. The Lady Bugs just strolled around the Purple Hull plants, walking right over the Aphids, not paying any attention to them. Okay, a few looked like they stopped to eat a little but, not very many at all. In a couple of days, there were hardly any Lady Bugs in the garden. A few days more and the Aphids have spread. They're taking over! I just sprayed some "pre-mixed" Garlic and Pepper Tea on them. I hope that helps. But, if not, I guess I'll try the Neem Oil (from seed, not leaf) or, maybe some soap and water with some oil mixed in.