How to Get Rid of Aphids :Some plants, including some houseplants and many garden vegetables and fruit trees are susceptible to aphid invasion. When aphid populations get out of control, they can devastate plants and interfere with their growth and health.
Natural controls include spraying aphids with soapy water or horticultural oil, using sticky traps, and encouraging predatory insects and other natural enemies of aphids.
Control Aphids With Natural and Organic Sprays
1. Insecticidal Soap Spray
- Ingredients:
- 1-2 tablespoons of pure liquid soap (like castile soap)
- 1 quart of water
- Instructions:
- Mix the soap and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray directly onto the aphids, covering both the top and bottom of leaves.
- Repeat every few days until aphids are gone.
- Effectiveness: The soap suffocates aphids by blocking their breathing pores, making it a gentle yet effective treatment.
2. Neem Oil Spray
- Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of neem oil
- 1 teaspoon of liquid soap (as an emulsifier)
- 1 quart of water
- Instructions:
- Mix neem oil, soap, and water in a spray bottle.
- Shake well to emulsify the oil.
- Spray on affected plants, focusing on the undersides of leaves.
- Reapply every 7-14 days as needed.
- Effectiveness: Neem oil disrupts aphid feeding and reproductive processes, making it an excellent preventive measure as well.
3. Garlic Spray
Ingredients:
2-3 cloves of garlic
1 quart of water
Instructions:
Crush the garlic cloves and soak them in water overnight.
Strain the mixture and transfer it to a spray bottle.
Spray directly onto plants infested with aphids.
Effectiveness: The strong scent of garlic deters aphids and other pests, making it a natural repellent.
EMPLOY NATURAL PREDATORS
1-Lady beetles:
Lady beetles in adulthood (ladybugs) do not consume the same amount of aphids as they do during their larval stage. This is the reason why so many people are unhappy by the inability to control them when they release live ladybugs bought in their gardens.
There must be an adequate aphid population that keeps the ladybugs nourished long enough for them to mat and produce eggs since it’s the larvae who consume the largest amount of Aphids. Ladybug larvae aren’t much like the adult that we’re used to they’re unique, which is why identification is essential.
Tips to improve your outcomes:
-It is recommended to apply again to ensure that the majority of applicants fly off within a couple of days.
-The plants should be misted lightly prior to release to get them to take a drink since they’re likely dehydrated.
-Release them during cooler hours of the day, such as early the morning or late in the later in the evening.
2-Lacewings
- Benefits: Lacewing larvae, often called “aphid lions,” feed aggressively on aphids and can consume hundreds in their short lifespan.
- How to Attract: Lacewings are attracted to plants like coriander, dill, and yarrow.
- Where to Get Them: Similar to ladybugs, lacewings can be bought and released in your garden for targeted aphid control.
3-Birds:
Give them homes for the birds that feed on bugs like chickadees and wrens to stay in and they’ll reward you by helping to keep the insect population in check. Plant small trees and plants that allow them to take shelter and construct their own nests.
GROW THE RIGHT PLANTS
Growing the right plants can help you naturally control aphids by attracting beneficial insects or repelling aphids directly. Here are some plants that can help you manage aphid populations effectively:
1. Attract Beneficial Insects
Growing the right plants can help you naturally control aphids by attracting beneficial insects or repelling aphids directly. Here are some plants that can help you manage aphid populations effectively:
1. Attract Beneficial Insects
- Dill, Fennel, and Cilantro: These herbs attract ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps, which are natural predators of aphids.
- Yarrow: Yarrow’s flowers are a favorite for hoverflies and lacewings, both of which feed on aphids.
- Alyssum and Cosmos: These flowers attract hoverflies, which are great for controlling aphid populations and also contribute to pollination.
- Dandelions: Surprisingly, dandelions attract ladybugs, which feast on aphids. Let a few grow in your garden to support these helpful insects.
2. Repel Aphids Naturally
- Garlic and Chives: The strong smell of garlic and chives is a natural deterrent for aphids. Plant them near vulnerable plants to keep aphids away.
- Marigolds: Marigolds emit a scent that repels aphids and other pests. They’re great for companion planting with vegetables and other garden plants.
- Catnip: Known for its ability to repel aphids, catnip can also keep away other pests like flea beetles. It grows well near tomatoes, which are prone to aphid infestations.
- Onions: Aphids tend to avoid onions, so planting them near susceptible plants can help to keep these pests at bay.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Causes an Aphid Infestation?
- Over-fertilization: Excess nitrogen in the soil can cause rapid, lush growth in plants, attracting aphids that feed on the tender new growth.
- Warm Weather: Aphids thrive in warm, dry conditions. Mild winters can also lead to higher populations in the spring.
- Lack of Natural Predators: A reduction in predators like ladybugs, lacewings, and parasitic wasps can lead to unchecked aphid populations.
- Stressed Plants: Plants under stress from drought, poor soil, or improper care are more susceptible to aphid attacks.
- Monoculture Planting: Planting a single crop or type of plant in an area can encourage aphids to multiply, as they have an abundant food source.
Where Do Aphids Lay Their Eggs?
In Soil (for Certain Species): While most aphids lay eggs on plants, some species may lay eggs in the soil near the base of plants.
On Host Plants: Aphids typically lay eggs on the undersides of leaves or on plant stems, especially on perennial plants where the eggs can overwinter.
In Crevices: Some species of aphids lay their eggs in cracks and crevices of the bark on trees and shrubs.
