Killing aphids on emergent plants

[WhistlingBadger]

One of the peppers in my developing Inle tank is badly infested with aphids, and they're spreading to the tomatoes. I'm afraid to use soap spray for fear it will leach into the water. We put a bunch of lady bugs in there that wiped out most of them, but after a two week road trip the bugs are gone and the aphids are back with a vengeance. Any ideas?

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Just read that hydrogen peroxide will kill aphids on contact. Might be my best bet.

 

[Magnum Man]

I have a couple of these as night lights in my plants, over my tanks...

https://www.amazon.com/Flying-Insect-Fruit-Refill-Cartridges/dp/B0C3PDTYYX/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=1VSAJIXPRXD0R&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IMuppwpei5O0AABCbZUMXtTD1v1ToRocwPjZBjy7O9n7fu_FSLHggIXCdThsnehKR7mOy4qKx_roQXoX98NoU9ZmwK177P5iaeEZUJv74HJtUy4NqQ27efa-mHnGxRRXz--a3Gp7xS_ZApO91vUNsKBkfINSUtoun4g2NfproKk02XD-uIIyjcrPl3WHwCCzcXv2tXSI2OEj-FHNu7HDMg.TffFrbGHAfGj4ljI6-16Y6_2O-pnYmwClzyYTIfkcuM&dib_tag=se&keywords=electric+bug+trap&qid=1752718018&sprefix=electric+bug+tra%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1

 

[Colin_T]

Tap the aphids into a bucket and freeze them, then use for fish food later on.

Lift the plants out and take them outside then hose off.

Spray alcohol on the aphids.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

Spray alcohol on the aphids.

Just what I need: a bunch of drunk aphids.

 

[WhistlingBadger]

OK, hydrogen peroxide is doing very little except killing my plants. So other options. @Colin_T I'm reluctant to use alcohol of any sort because some of it will probably end up in the water. Same with neem oil, soap spray, and the other usual things. I think I might have to just lift the whole island out of the tank (it's floating, not attached, fortunately) and use soap spray, then rinse it really well before I put it back in. Thoughts???

 

[Colin_T]

Ethyl Alcohol (ethanol) is diluted in water and as long as it doesn't have anything bad added to it, then a small amount (a few drops) should be fine in an aquarium. If you could find 60% whiskey or something without preservatives in, try spraying it on the bugs. Do a test patch to see if it helps.

If a lot of alcohol ends up in the water, do a big water change to dilute it.

Otherwise lift out the plants and take it outside to clean them off.