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Bugs & Musings 2002 & 2009 update
by Muriel Walker

Please:  As with any suggestions offered to you, consider your situation and garden before taking action and check with a trusted garden professional in your local area.

Warm weather is time to check for aphids in the daylilies. Many of our members spray with Orthene or Malathion. A granular that works is Di-syston Systemic for the folks who don't like sprays (or sprayers!)

(Cygon 2E & Diazinon originally listed in this article have been removed from the marketplace in the United States.)

• Orthene is a systemic, a liquid and I sprayed it on my daylilies at the start of the aphids. It has worked just fine. I purchase the Di-Syston Systemic in granule form that we talked about. If the temperature is OK (about 60) then I push back the mulch, put in on the soil and then water in. It is labeled for aphids and thrips. And it will stink when you water it in - that's the chemical going to work.

A useful source of chemical information could be Green Light Products web site.

• Malathion is still a standard for aphids and thrips and is labeled for mites too.
• Give yourself a garden treat. My favorite is to find the old locally owned hardware store that still sells bulk seeds or even seed potatoes. I ask for the person who works/orders the garden chemicals and ask them my questions. Taking them a pan of homemade brownies works wonders too.  And you can always call the toll free number of the manufacturer and ask them.

• There is also a hose-end applicator for chemical concentrate you can buy that may make spraying easier on us with older backs. Manufactured by Gilmore and sold at many hardware stores and at local discount (big box) stores. Look for the green version that makes a 20 gallon mix for lawns.

Here is an organic soil product worth a try.  www.milorganite.org     Milorganite is a fertilizer many of us use. An interesting web site.