So... What's With the Aphids?

[Flames in 07]

ya tons here as well. Just moved north of the core and thought it was just the area that had them.

[Neeper]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

I'm curious what the fising has been like on the Bow.

Troutman? Neeper? Any info?

The bow has been fishing very good all summer, except during that heat wave. Some days are on, some are off. But the Bow is like that all year round. Even in Dec it can be really good. Of course I don't like to get out if it's going to be below zero, because my lines would freeze. I don't think the aphids really affect how the Bow fishes. The fish are more in tune with grasshoppers this time of year. Why not get a big meal when you get a chance, right?

As for all the aphids, I would assume its the time of year that they hatch. Like Bow entomology, different insects hatch at different times of the year.

http://www.natureshideaway.com/fishing/hatch.htm

[JD]

Running on the pathways the last couple days has been a nightmare... every minute or so, I look down and my chest and legs are covered with these little critters. I brush 'em off only for a whole new swarm of clingers. Breathing is tough, maybe I'll wear a dustmask next run.

I'm ready for a good ladybug infestation.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

They're all over the place in Edmonton and St. Albert as well... way worse than usual.

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by ken0042

What I find funny is this year I've heard people complaining about all the dragonflies. (Not sure what its like in other parts of the city, but McKenzie towne was swarming with them.)

Even when I mention that the dragon flies don't bite, they don't beg for food, and there's no mosquitos, people still complain.

People should NEVER complain about dragonflies. As you said, they devour mosquitoes and those biting buggers know it.

I tree planted one summer. Swarms of mosquitoes were around the entire time except when there was a dragonfly nearby.

[JD]

So if we can alter the earth's climate patterns, shouldn't we be able to aid the survival of dragonflies, allowing their populations to flourish, thus ridding us of pesky mosquitoes and their west-nile-carrying ways?

I ran home from work today and the aphids were worse than ever. I almost had to quit running for fear they were trying to suffocate me!

[icarus]

This is the first horseman of the apocalypse!!!

[Shin Pad]

We have a ton of them here in Chestermere also. Are you sure they are aphids? The ones we have here are black - not green.

[darockwilder]

I believe they are so numerous right now because they are mating like crazy so they can get their eggs in place before the first frost.

[Rhettzky]

Dragonflies rule! They eat wasps too which has been very noticeable at my house. My only question is we had an increased amount of mosquito's the last few years, now we have an increased number of their predator (dragonflies) this year, so what eats dragonflies?

EDIT: Check out some of these dragonfly facts on Wiki...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_fly#General_facts

The camoflage sounds really cool, I wonder how that works exactly?

[Eagle Eye]

I remember back in the 80's when the aphids were so bad that they covered the entire backyard, you couldn't see the fence they were so bad. They will be bad until the first good frost hits.

[Uncarved]

Make sure you don't wear bright colours to avoid them all. I made the mistake of going to fish creek park, wearing a bright yellow shirt. I couldn't sweep the buggers off quick enough. So the moral of the story is if you want them to avoid you, make sure the person you are going with wear bright colours so they will swarm them instead of you!

[fredr123]

Release buttloads of pigeons to take care of the aphids. Then release Bolivian tree lizards to deal with the pigeons. Chinese snakes will eliminate the lizards and a heft dose of gorillas will get rid of the snakes. Then, winter will take care of the rest.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I haven't seen lady bugs around. Where the hell are the lady bugs??

[tanguay'sstillgood]

Originally Posted by Rhettzky

The camoflage sounds really cool, I wonder how that works exactly?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_camouflage

[JBR]

Terrible in Varsity...

[LouCypher]

Incredible...I was downtown on 8th ave near TD square and all that stuff, walking down the center of Stephan ave just swarms and swarms of them. The only time I ever recall seeing that many aphids is walking near the odd row bushes this time of year. They are more common then I thought.

[Jayems]

Originally Posted by Madman

It sucks having a yellow car right about now. Maybe I should charge people and park in front of their house to attract all the afids away.

haha, i know exactly what you mean. Bugs are always trying to get it on with my car.

[Locke]

They are brutal in Acadia. I tried to sick my cat on them, but apparently their goaltending skills do not translate to insect killing.

Who knew?

[Calgaryborn]

Aphids can be a problem in pear orchards. I've seen farmers use Tide detergent in their orchard blast sprayers to kill them. They add an anti-foaming agent as well so they don't overflow but, it's the soap that kills the aphids.