Are you noticing an aphid invasion in your garden?
Aphids cause deformed and curled new leaves, buds, and flowers. They can also carry viral diseases and some species cause galls.
These soft-bodied, small round insects like to suck plant juices around the growing tips and tender tissues of plants.
All aphids secrete honeydew, and this is sometimes the first symptom noticed. The honeydew attracts ants who feed on it. You can find more information about these pesky, and destructive, garden pests at the University of Kentucky’s fact page.
To manage aphid populations and their nuisance of destruction, soapy water (use specially formulated insecticidal soaps) sponged or sprayed onto leaves works well. Natural solutions can be predators like lady beetles and flower fly larvae. For additional information on biological, cultural, and chemical control options, check out the University of California or Colorado State University fact sheets on aphids.