We've also learned to recognize the larva of a hover fly species that preys on these aphids. They don't eat as many as the Lady Bugs, but they do their job. If the concentration of aphids gets too high, the plants weaken and begin to be attacked by other pests. Then, I resort to soapy water because at that point, the plants may begin to die unless I intervene. One capful Ivory soap to one gallon water.
Ivory soap is the only pure tallow based soap on the market.
It is relatively organic. The Ivory Soap in Georgia is just a little different from the Ivory in Oregon or Kansas. I'll bet you didn't know that. I found out while researching a project for a course I was taking at The Cleveland Advertising Club. I was sinking back into one of my past lives as an advertising executive.