Anyone ever used the bug (water) blaster

markqz 5/16/2021, 10:17 pm

There are actually multiple products that call themselves "bug blaster", but the one I'm talking about is a hose or wand attachment that allows you to hit the undersides of leaves with a thin yet strong blast of water:

https://www.planetnatural.com/product/bug-blaster/

I'm having ongoing aphid and (maybe) white fly attacks. At least I know to look for them. I'm experimenting with various things like neem oil, insecticidal soap, spinosad bug killer, diatomaceous earth, all of which have their various adherents and defenders. A bug blaster might be one more tool in the arsenal.

OhioGardener 5/17/2021, 9:05 am

I've never used one of those, but I have a "bug blaster" nozzle for my tank sprayer. I don't use it any more. It seemed to work well, but was an exercise in futility. After blasting the aphids off with it, the plants were totally clean of all the critters and it looked good. The next day the plants were covered with aphids again, and it became a daily event to blast them off the plants.

Fortunately, for me aphids have not been a major problem for the past several years. I started planting beneficial wasp nectar plants, such as Sweet Alyssum, on the edges of the beds and then introduced some Aphid Wasps (Aphidius colemani) to the beds. I seldom see more than a few aphids at any time. And, the Alyssum are beautiful all summer, too!

Anyone ever used the bug (water) blaster Blue_a12

Anyone ever used the bug (water) blaster Sweet-10

has55 5/18/2021, 3:20 pm

great idea OG

SharonBreay 5/25/2021, 5:01 pm

Great Ideas! Do the Aphid Wasps sting humans ever? I'm OK with bees (LOVE them),
but wasps can get mad!

OhioGardener 5/25/2021, 8:19 pm

SharonBreay wrote:Do the Aphid Wasps sting humans ever?

No, they do not have stingers, and they are so small you will seldom even see them. The same is true for the Braconid wasp (kill the Tomato Hornworm), and Trichogramma wasp (kills cabbage worm). All of these tiny beneficial wasps are attracted to the Sweet Alyssum.

**jimmy cee** 5/25/2021, 10:41 pm

Properly made compost tea will prevent many pests including aphids from taking over plant leaves..It does this by leaving no space for them to get a hold...

Anyone ever used the bug (water) blaster Tea_0010

Anyone ever used the bug (water) blaster Tea_0011

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