What Can I Do to Control Insects on My Outdoor Ivy Vine?

Insecticidal Soap

• Spraying ivy vines with insecticidal soap controls pests, such as aphids, mealybugs and spider mites. Insecticidal soap contains potassium salt of fatty acids, which dries out insects. Diluting the spray by using 2 to 3 percent of the concentration indicated on the label avoids burning the plant, suggests Colorado State University. Thoroughly apply the spray on the ivy plant and underneath its leaves. Keep your ivy watered to prevent dehydration.

Horticultural Oil

• Horticultural oil controls scales and other insects. There are two types of horticultural oil for garden use: refined petroleum products and plant-derived products. For horticultural oil to harm insects, it must be applied on dry days. Applying horticultural oil when the weather is freezing causes damage. Using horticultural when the weather is hot or higher than 90 degrees Fahrenheit also harms plants. Repeat the horticultural oil application throughout the growing season.

Insecticides

• Insecticides are either broad spectrum or narrow range. Broad-spectrum herbicides typically contain malathion, dimethoate, carbaryl and cyfluthrin as active ingredients. These insecticides are effective against several different types of insects infesting ivy plants or when gardeners cannot identify the pest causing damage. Broad-spectrum insecticides also kill beneficial insects. Narrow-range insecticides kill one kind of insect without harming others. For example, lacewings survive applications of pyrethroid containing insecticides while mites die after being sprayed.

Cultural Methods

• Gardeners who do not want to spray chemicals on their outdoor ivy vines use cultural control methods. Vacuum pests like whiteflies. Use a handheld vacuum and focus your efforts underneath leaves where pests colonize. Throw away the vacuum bag immediately after using. Spraying ivy vines with a strong stream of water knocks insects off the plant. While spraying insects with water will not decrease severe pest infestations, it does reduce moderate populations.