Aphids?!

[ChickenMomma91]

So my SBG is over run with this tiny smaller than a pinhead red bugs! DH says they're aphids, I'll get a picture later. I know ladybugs are the best thing for aphids so what can I plant around the SBG to attract ladybugs???

 

[baymule]

What's SBG? And ladybugs are the best thing for aphids, just don't kill the larve stage, they are black and red striped, look horrible, but eat lots of aphids. In the meantime, hit the aphids with a jet stream from the water hose.

 

[thistlebloom]

Actually it sounds like they may be spider mites. They may have been in the straw.
Ladybugs will also eat mites, if you can convince them to hang around. I had no joy keeping them on an aphid infested tree last summer, and I bought three separate batches and followed all the tips and tricks.

 

[Smart Red]

Tiny red bugs sounds more like spider mites. Aphids are more white, off-white, or light green. Neither is good for your plant, however. Washing them off with a stream of water can work. A dab of Isopropyl rubbing alcohol on the end of a Q-tip will work for mites as well.

 

[Smart Red]

Or rather, Isopropyl rubbing alcohol on the end of a Q-tip and rubbed over the offending mites may work. Wetting Q-tip alone won't do much more than get the cotton wet for a while. (Sheepish grin here.)

 

[thistlebloom]

There are aphids in nearly every color, so a picture ID is the best bet.
But spider mites are much much smaller than aphids, so that could be a clue.

 

[ChickenMomma91]

@baymule SBG is short for straw bale garden.
My plants are still tiny so it's mostly the bale they've infested

 

[ninnymary]

@baymule SBG is short for straw bale garden.
My plants are still tiny so it's mostly the bale they've infested

thistle nailed it. She said they were probably in your straw.

Mary

 

[ChickenMomma91]

They just showed up a couple days ago. They weren't there when I conditioned my bales or when I put my plants in

 

[Smart Red]

Could have been hiding in the soil (as eggs) and hatched under the ideal conditions in the hay.