What zone are you in?

Phoebe,

Check out the FAQs. A list of host plants and specific BFs was compiled by the forum. This will get you started.

Sandy

I'm not certain how to control aphids on milkweed, we get a few of these every summer, but not too many, perhaps the Wisconsin winters keeps them from being too successful here. We do see infestations of milkweed bugs from time to time, and when I see a stem covered with bugs, I fill a 5 gallon bucket with warm water and detergent, cut the stem, and plunge it into the bucket. Of course, this never eliminates the milkweed bugs, there are always others around, but it does keep the numbers down.

Ladybugs help with the aphids. They'll lay eggs on the plant and their larvea will eat the aphids.