aphid control

[lextra]

Hi! Need some help with aphid control...I've sprayed with insecticidal soap but to no avail... Also how or where do they come from...do they live in the dirt...? I seem to get rid of them for a short while,(couple of months) and then they are back...right now they are damaging my lettuce and snap peas. i feel that when you have a problem with insects fungus etc, something is out of balance but I just can't figure out what...any help would be appreciated. Oh yes, I am growing in a hoop house.
Thanks

[zebraman]

Hey lextra; Aphids only attack sick or unhealthy plants.Buy a book on Bio-Dynamic Gardening and follow the info.Aphids won't attack any of your healthy Plants.The Females have wings and are born already pregnant.Bio Dynamics is the way to go to avoid aphids in the first place.

[Mary]

Zezbraman is right,enrich your soil organically and try growing nasturtium flowers in the rows , a trap painted yellow will attrack the aphids, paint a small pan and fill with water, add a small amount of water, add a small amount of deterent to the water and put it next to the troubled plants .I have not tried this methods but read it in a mag. Good luck! Hope it works.

[tabitha]

diatomaceous earth will destroy them. reapply after rains/ water. you can use your hands to dust, or buy a duster and wear a kercheif to avoid breathing it in. make sure you get the right kind of DE- for gardening, not for swimming pools.

[Mary]

I have looked for diatomaceous earth, where can I buy it ?Maybe I looked in the wrong place.