Aphids

So i have been finding sticky residue on my leaves and discovered bugs (aphids) in my hydroton when i watered them the other day. I have used a little bit of the safer all organic bug spray, but was wondering if there are other ways to combat them other than using this spray. check out my journal to see the specs on my grow-tent @

https://www.rollitup.org/blogs/340643-kmkbkaer4201.html

Any advice would be awesome, I talked to a friend of mine and he said it could be due to root rot, but they shouldn't hurt the plants I don't know if that's true though. I'm also getting close to switching my light too from 18/6 to 12/12. Please help master growers your my only help.....

KMKBKAER4201

Aphids are some ez bugs to get rid of. Safer is great. (potassium salts of fatty acids.) you can use it till the cows come home it's non toxic. I have had success with mild infestations by using alcohol pads. I gently swab down the plants stems and leaves with no tissue damage at all and the aphids (works on scale and most bugs) just dry up. If you have a heavy infestation consider a light permithrin spray. It's made from chrysanthemum flowers and a few applications should be enough to control them.

One word for aphids, nicotine. Making a nicotine tea is for aphids and most small harmful bugs on your plants and is totally safe and biodegradable. I brew a liter of water with enough tabacco, about 3 cigs, simmer in the liter of water for 20 to 30 minutes, cool, add a few drops of soap (liquid) spray on plants in the early morning or late afternoon.
This kills on contact, breaks down within a few hours safe to use up until the day before harvest. There will be no taste or residue left on the plant what so ever. You can chop up a few cloves of garlic and add to your simmer also, this will be an insect deterent and leave a residue for a few days, all depends on how close to harvest you are.
Good Luck and Happy Growing