A simple straw cleaning brush is all you need to wipe away aphids from your milkweed and other plants. A strong stream of water also works.
Aphids are weak creatures and this will squish them and dislodge them enough to keep the population down. Look for ladybug larvae and ladybugs before you wipe or spray water. Protect the good insects because they naturally lower pest numbers.
Don’t get out a can of chemical death. Even neem can kill bees and damage plants if applied at the wrong time. No chemicals, pesticides, hot pepper sprays or insecticidal soap needed.
First action is to manually remove, only takes a few minutes. Get in there and interact with the plant versus spraying from afar.
Plants emit attractants to pollinators. Creatures like the monarch butterfly seek out host plants to lay eggs using cues that you don’t want to interrupt.
If you lack pollinators and bees in your garden, think about how you’re taking care of nature.
Inexpensive brushes like this work great:
