[GreenAccord]

You guys are too quick! (Secretly, I was hoping for a massively-posted thread with all kinds of input. I guess I'll have to settle for a rapid response).

A quick google image search on aphids results in:

from Donna Young.org

Thanks, folks.

So the question now is: What gets rid of them?

[1rudeboy]

If you’re looking for some random input (I have the “luxury” of living near Chicago, however), I’ve discovered that certain museums (the Field) and univesities with entomology programs gladly identify insects for you, if you send them a corpse.

[mkmensinger]

Try some dishwash soap and water in a spray bottle.

[tet68]

Three oatmeal cookies, and ice pick and a hammer.
No, wait, that’s for tape worms, let me think.

[txhurl]

Buy some fireants from me. Ants farm aphids (no, really).

[ErnBatavia]

What gets rid of them?

Your local nursery might well sell them in little containers kinda like a milk carton -- but be forewarned that most of 'em will fly right away.

[djf]

What gets rid of them?

It’d be a big operation for a whole tree, but on roses, plain old soapy water kills em deader than a doornail.

Just get some sort of sprayer, put a bit of dish soap (like Dawn) in it and fill the rest with water.

[gorush]

"So the question now is: What gets rid of them?"

The Chinese beetle was imported to control aphids...those beetles have now increased their numbers to almost biblical proportions. No we have aphid AND beetle problems.

[SouthTexas]

DDT works quite well on all kinds of bugs, but I’m not sharing what little I have left. ;)

Soapy water in a pump up sprayer also works on a lot of insects and the infamous killer bees too!

[buck61]

So the question now is: What gets rid of them?

Find the hottest pepper you can purchase, boil it, drain through a sifter. Place the liquid contents in a spray bottle and, apply to plants.

Vanilla and peppermint will do the same thing.

[ktscarlett66]

Ladybugs.

[dalereed]

“What gets rid of them?”

Brfore it was banned, DDT worked very well!

[SunkenCiv]

Ladybugs are indeed aphid-eaters, but only in the larval state. Try that dish soap idea, that generally works and doesn’t harm the plants (not straight soap, diluted). Other ideas include a compressed air tank, a vacuum cleaner, flypaper, praying manti, ant lions; not sure there’s a BT strain that works.