Hops and Aphids

[bluenadas]

I read this while reading an article on Yahoo News about bugs in food (of which there are many) but this was a little eye-opening:

The FDA legally allows 2,500 aphids for every 10 grams of hops.

FDA Inspection criteria

Kind of makes you wonder a little bit......

 

[gratus fermentatio]

You might find this interesting & useful:
http://www.arbico-organics.com/category/beneficial-insects-organisms
Regards, GF.

 

[bluenadas]

I have a decent control program in place for my personal garden, but the article I linked is what the FDA allows in commercially sold products. So my linked article is more relevant for those buying their hops at the LHBS or online through a retailer.

 

[TimTrone]

I was talking to a commercial grower at the last brew fest I went to, and he said on a small scale hop farm tobacco works well. Apparently you soak it in distilled water, and then use a sprayer to apply it all over the vines. He said bugs hate it. Never tried it though. We only get stink bug problems in PA, and they don't do much damage.