Bad Bugs!

     I planted a patch of milkweed plants not too long ago so that the Monarch Butterflies would have a place to lay their eggs. It worked and I have many caterpillars and butterflies around my yard but once the butterflies moved on some bugs showed up. I thought them harmless little beetle looking creatures with some unique patterning. So I left them be for a bit until i noticed they we spreading and multiplying like rabbits! They were actually draining the top part of my milkweed plants where the flower buds are. They were killing my plants at a rate that surprised me.


    To make it worse not too long after they showed up, another little bug made its way to my garden. Oleander Aphids! Now those are some bad bugs! I can easily pick the aphids off by squishing them on the splant. I've read you can spray them off or spray the plant but I dont want to use any sprays. I also read if you can get lady bugs into your yard that that will do the trick but I know lady bugs eat the caterpillars as well and I would rather just rub them off the plants than to deal with no butterflies. So squishing will do for now.

As for the Milkweed Bugs I have been able to grab all the baby beetles and chuck them across the street. Seems to be working so far!

Heres a link for pictures of the milkweed bug:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/pests-and-problems/insects/plant-bugs/milkweed-bugs.aspx

and then the horrid aphids!http://nathistoc.bio.uci.edu/hemipt/OleanderAphid.htm

Here are some pics of my Milkweed