Wondering about the weird world of aphids

Where do aphids live when they are not devouring the new red growth on our roses? Apparently they overwinter as eggs. But not just any eggs. What happens is female eggs hatch into ‘big mommas”. The big mommas give birth to live young, both male and female, but without having to mate with a male. Whaa laa - you have instant aphids. 

Then later in the season some of the females will mate with males and ultimately lay pregnant eggs again at the end of the season. But only pregnant female eggs. Who give birth to live young next year. And on it goes. Is that weird or what?

Weird yes, but what to do about aphids? Two schools - you can spray them with soapy water and they will die, or you can wash them off with the hose rubbing them with your fingers. Some will survive naturally, but then the hungry ladybugs will have something to feed on when they get here.