Hallo- I was wondering if anyone had advice on how to get rid of a nasty bug problem. I've got a fairly decent sized potted hedera ivy plant that has a bunch of tiny black bugs on it (I think that they're aphids, though I thought aphids were green colored). I've tried washing the plant, repotting it, and soaping down the vines; I've also cut off really heavily affected parts of the plants. Every time I think I got rid of the bugs, I find them back in large numbers. Besides being an ugly nuisance, they also seem to be gnawing little holes in the leaves. Any suggestions on getting rid of them for good?
If it's aphids you could try adding a few drops of oil or washing up liquid to a spray bottle full of water and liberally spraying your ivy. If its not aphids....maybe a general spectrum insecticide? Good luck with eradication!
I wonder if what your seeing isn't tiny spidermitres.You should be able to see thin webbing in and around the leaves. Mites LOVE "ivy" which can often become infested with them! Mites can be orange, purple, black, green or yellow.. For whatever pest you have, sprays can help. Besides the soapy spray Jen suggested, you can also use alcohol and water sprays. One part alcohol, to three parts water (or stronger).Make sure you spray every inch of the plant until it's dripping, including the undersides of the leaves. You may need to spray once a week for a couple of weeks, then keep an eye on it in case you missed any.
