Aphids are easy. Just get a spray bottle and fill it full of soapy water (plain dishsoap is fine) and spray them down. I just squish them by hand if there are a few. I only get the soap spray out for large infestations.

Mike

Mike, believe me, it looks like a large infestation. How long should it stay on the stalks before it is effective. It looks like rain soon. Hopefully it works on contact.
Leslie

If they look like this only smaller, then you've got what I've come to know as aphids.

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These were on my potted iris in the house. I've only squished them and haven't sprayed them yet. I haven't sprayed for the most ridiculus reason; I just don't have a spray bottle handy. But I've had success in keeping their numbers down and I plan to buy a spraybottle soon. =)

Hope that helps.
Brock

Ewwww yah, that looks like them. Only mine are a lot smaller. LOL I think there are legs on them. I did spray them with soapy water, and will check again tomorrow. If they are still some there, I will spray again.
Leslie

Soapy water should take them out in a minute or two. The soap smothers them and they suffocate. Rinse them off with the hose afterwards so they don't stick around looking unsightly.

Mike

I used a spray meant for protecting rose leaves from a huge list of preditors. I figure, not only did it knock them off and kill them, but it left a residue on the leaves that is supposed to continue protecting them for weeks. Slugs dont seem to like it either. We have big black aphids in maine, particulatly when you place iris with day lillies.