These will not be pretty pictures. It’s hard to say what’s eating the milkweed faster, monarch caterpillars or aphids. For a poisonous plant, the milkweed sure provides a tasty treat!

There are lots of things to try to get rid of aphids. I prefer squashing and cutting off the infested tops and dunking them in water before discarding. Aphids drown fairly easily. You can also dab them with isopropyl alcohol. Just don’t harm the monarch eggs or caterpillars.

I also use the relocation method. Move the tiny babies (some use a paintbrush) to another leaf and cut the infected plant’s top off.

One thing I’ve noticed, the monarchs and aphids prefer the same leaves!They must be the tastiest.

In less than a month the caterpillars will be butterflies and on their way.Until then, hold on milkweed!