That's interesting Nandina. Are the Arm & Hammer dryer sheets "unscented" or scented type? Also, do they have a slight powdery residue? The only aphid problems I encounter each year are the early spring green ones that smother my young rose buds, and the later season green ones that smother my emerging corn tassles (these corn ones are always accompanied by very defensive herding ants). vgkg

Vgkg,

Yes, the dryer sheets are scented and do have a powdery residue. I have these ivy plants in the house because I am playing with a new topiary idea and want to keep a close eye on them.

Nandina, I always say to stick with what works no matter how strange (or was it vgqn who said that ;o). Next year I'll try to remember this dryer sheet trick when my rose buds and esp the corn tassels are covered with aphids. The angry ants are very good at keeping lady bugs at bay. I wonder if A&H powder dissolved in water (spray) would be as effective? or could the scent play a role in repelling the aphids? A good experiment to test out. vgkg

Dryer sheets were touted as a mosquito/black fly repellant

The question becomes; the OG nature of the sheets..

Nandina,

A gut feel, a new plant, inside, fall and nothing for aphids to feed on.

When I tried to overwinter some peppers
I think every aphid in the county came to my house. I killed my peppers trying to kill the aphids.

>I always say to stick with what works no matter how >strange (or was it vgqn who said that ;o).
Sounds about right...

Bryan, I overwinter marjoram cuttings every year, and I think almost every small green aphid in the county comes to our house. Luckily, in our new (to us) house, almost every Asian lady beetle in the county comes to our house too. They're pretty sluggish in the winter, but about 100 relocated lady beetles to four majoram cuttings seems to do the trick. Next year I will try them on my brilliantly successful rocoto chile pepper (which at this point is a seed, which may or may not actually be a rocoto, in an envelope in my refrigerator) :-).

How I wish we had lady bugs in this neck of the woods. I even bought some of the stay-at-home type to introduce them into the ecosystem. Within a week they had flown the coop and I have not seen one since. In the meantime, my one dryer sheet application is still working and I have not seen a second hatching of aphids. So, I am anxious to hear reports from others who try this method. It might be an easy solution to a complex problem.

I should warn you all, essentially the way dryer sheets work is by coating the clothing with a coat of lipids (fat). In the long run, that could be harmful to your plants. I'm reminded of the time my mom put mayo on a houseplant's leaves because the neighberhood crazy lady across the street told her it would make the leaves shiny. Of course, it could have no effect on the plants as well. Just wanted you guys to be aware.

Hope this helps,

Struggling College Student

Now that I think about it, I think dryer sheets coat using wax, not fats. Same concept though.

Okay, so instead of WIPING the dryer sheets over the plants, how about cutting the sheets into narrow strips, then TYING them onto the plants? If it's the scent, it would "season" the air near the plant, maybe making it less attractive?

Sue

This is just a hunch, but since the product came from Arm & Hammer, could the powder be baking soda?

Try spraying with a baking soda solution.

I have a severe infestation on my new Anthony Waterer spirea. I should have known as the stock at the nursery was swarming with ladybugs. . .but that's another story. I have the green kind of aphids.

I have tried several times rubbing Arm & Hammer fabric softener dryer sheets over the tips, also squashing the aphids with the sheets, to no avail. Saw a few ladybug and larvae earlier, but none lately since I did the dryer sheet thing. Aphids so bad I've got ants crawling the stems. Hosed with water but these green ones really hang on.

So what's that homemade soap spray recipe again?

For general info on dryer sheets and fabric softeners, not specific brands, see ...

Here is a link that might be useful: Fabric Softeners

I "dip" a plant in a bucket of water w/ a tbsp of Ivory dish soap. Do this weekly - no aphids.

I hold my hand around the stem at dirt level, holding the dirt/plant in the pot, turn it upside down and dip. The soap will not hurt the plant at all.

You can also spray this mixture on the plant (including fruit trees) and rinse it off if you wish. Sometimes I let it sit for a half-hour before rinsing. I've forgotten to rinse, and doesn't seem to make any difference.

:)