I agree about the photo. I'll try again to get a better photo, though I had the darndest time. I was also thinking that they may be white flies in the pupal stage. I admit that's mostly wishful thinking.

Aphids I didn't even consider, because the window where the plants are located is drafty. I thought aphids thrive in warmer weather or temperature.

Whether it's aphids or mealybugs, is it best to use a solution of 50% water 50% rubbing alcohol or insecticidal spray? I have quite a few plants, most of which are small with lots of leaves. Should I repot in fresh soil? I was about to repot the plants in larger pots when I noticed the insects.

Okay, these aren't great either, but they are the best I can do. Fyi, the first are of the window lift where they fell as I was moving the plants.

Aphids. The remains on the windowsill appear to be their shed skins, aka exoskeletons.

The easiest and fastest way to get rid of aphids, particularly on plants you might be eating, is to wash them off. Just hold the leafy part of the plant under the faucet or use the spray feature thoroughly to remove them all.

Okay, so aphids it is. I tried to rinse them off, but there are too many. Would using insecticidal spray or something else work to eradicate the aphids? I've been pretty busy the last few months and watering at night in dim light that I didn't realize I had an infestation until yesterday.

Out of curiosity, does using a q-tip dipped on rubbing alcohol and running over the leaves, actually work? Same goes for a spray of essential oil/water solution.

I tried to rinse them off,

==>>> its more of a blasting them off ... not just a dip and rinse ....

indoors i would use the kitchen sink.. if you have a hard enough spray ... or the shower if you have a hand shower head ....

you want enough pressure.. just short of injuring too many leaves ..

the last pic above.. 'looks' heavily stippled on the back of the leaf.. if so .... you are going to have to be pretty aggressive .. if you could do it outdoors.. the hose would even work ...

there are a host of things you could use on non-edible plants .... so thats out ...

as to doing it by hand... well ... using the old cost benefit ratio ... it might be cheaper the throw them out ... and go buy some new herb plants .. rather than spend hours trying to do it by hand .... most likely ... you will have to do this once a week until you are sure they ... and all the generations are gone ...

ken

I have had good luck controlling aphids with plain water, with squishing, with mists of alcohol and water, with commercial insecticidal soaps, or with horticultural oils.

For indoor plants, herbs in particular, I'd go with squishing and plain water. I've used the alcohol mists on lots of plants but not on herbs. Let us know if you try it.

I'd never use a cotton swap to control aphids or any other pest. The alcohol can far better be applied via a misting bottle.

The infestation is pretty bad. I think it's past the blast of water solution. I tried to rinse some off a small basil plant and there were multiple rounds. I didn't realize how aphids there could be on such a small plant.

I decided to try the isoprophyl alcohol 70% water spray. I used a 1:1 solution. I hope to spray a few times a week for few weeks. If that doesn't work I'll try the insecticidal spray. If that doesn't work then I'll have to restart with new plants.

You will have to keep at it every three days or so for couple of more times - sometimes more. The eggs do not die and so you will have to be a bit persistent. Insecticidal soap is more effective but alcohol solution should also work.

Looks like whitefly to me. Just wash off.

Update: I ended up having to get rid of my plants, though I harvested as much as I could. I sprayed a few times over 2 weeks, but I didn't have time to keep up the schedule and they returned. In retrospect I should have used the insecticidal spray first and then the alcohol spray for maintenance.

I've had luck with (food Grade) diatomaceous earth. it's non toxic to humans, pets or the environment.