Phylloxera - Winged Root Aphid

Anyone unfortunate enough to have a run-in with these little suckers! I can tell you straight up that they are worse than spider mites. Reading a little about them it seems they destroyed 9 out of 10 grape vineyards in France prior to 1900s...

These bastards are just about impossible to eliminate from what I've heard. They are best fought with a systemic (imid?), however, it stays in the plant for a LONG time so it can really only be applied safely in early veg!!

I think WAY more people have these then realize it. They are often mistaken for fungus gnats. And in fact, that's what I thought I had until I realized they were laying eggs in my buds!! They will destroy your root system and the plant will die a slow death. Apparently, people can still make it to harvest, but the plants are sickly and dying and suffering from nute-lockouts starting in early- to mid- flowering. Yield is definitely affected in a full-on infestation. Most people assume the root aphids are actually fungus gnats and they blame their problems on nute deficiencies, bad water, etc.

Does anyone have experience battling these fuckers!! Since it's going to be an on-going battle I think I may use some organic chemicals since I'll be applying them through flower. I'm thinking Botanigard looks nice. Was also thinking about Spectracide... rumored to work really well... but you have to root drench it and that's a nasty chemical as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure it's taken up by the plants. Even though it's not a systemic it's likely still taken up... it just doesn't work when inside the plant.

I think this will be my 3-part regimen:

Tobacco spray
Botanigard
Pyrethrums

Anyone have any input? Stories? Suggestions?
lampost Reviewed by lampost on . Phylloxera - Help us God! Phylloxera - Winged Root Aphid Anyone unfortunate enough to have a run-in with these little suckers! I can tell you straight up that they are worse than spider mites. Reading a little about them it seems they destroyed 9 out of 10 grape vineyards in France prior to 1900s... These bastards are just about impossible to eliminate from what I've heard. They are best fought with a systemic (imid?), however, it stays in the plant for a LONG time so it can really only be applied safely in Rating: 5