Easiest way to get rid of aphids is spraying them off with water from a hose. This breaks their feeding tube so they are doomed.

I'm not a huge fan of insecticidal soap, it can also damage plant tissue.

That's what i was afraid of - i've used the insecticidal soap before and plants have died right off. And i've washed aphids off potted plants with the hose on my rain barrel but we don't have an outside tap, so that's out, unless i run a hose through the basement windows....

Thanks, though!

Try filling up an empty ketchup bottle and using it. You might need a few trips but it'll get the job done.

Marcia, how tall is the tree?

I don't really know how hard a "blast" of water is needed, but how about climbing one of those A-frame type ladders and dumping buckets of water??? Two person job of course =:) DH would need to pass the bucket and hold the ladder.

I know this idea sounds kind of silly, but would it work?

Now's a perfect time to get one of those big, bad super-soaker waterguns that shoot up to 50 feet! I'm sure your grand-daughter might be able to find other uses for it after your aphids have been blown away...;)

Water gun!! There are three of them out at the lake! :-/ Figures, eh? I do have a spray bottle that i can try.

The tree is about 10-12 feet high, maybe more.

Maybe i can borrow a water gun from some kid....

Borrow schmorrow!

Invite a bunch of boys over and let them have at it, LOL!

That's odd, I have never had plant damage from Safer's Soap. I need to find mine, my salvia is under attack!