Aphids love to feed on fruits, vegetables, flowers and many other types of plants, making it difficult to develop a beautiful garden. These little pear-shaped insects congregate in the shaded part of the leaves and come in many different colors. To keep these pesky pests away, attract beneficial insects, such as ladybugs, to your garden, otherwise try to reduce the ant population. There are various types of sprays that can keep mites under control, with ingredients ranging from certain types of oil to garlic. If you need a quick-acting remedy, try sprinkling the aphids with a strong stream of water or sprinkling flour over the infested plants to get rid of them.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Finding a Homemade Remedy
Step 1. Spray a strong stream of water on the plants
Use a garden hose to wet the plants affected by aphids with cold water; in this way, you should be able to detach the parasites from the plant. Even abundant rain can be enough to wash away the aphids from the garden.
- The water pressure should be strong, but not to the point of damaging the plants.
- Repeat this process as many times as needed to get rid of the aphids when they show up.
Step 2. Eliminate the aphids by hand
If you notice a group of these pests on one of your plants, you can remove them with your fingers. When you do, drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them.
- If the aphids have infested an entire leaf or stem, prune that part of the plant with scissors or shears, then toss it in a bucket of soapy water.
- Wear gloves to protect your hands.
Step 3. Sprinkle the flour on the plants to deal with an aphid invasion
Take a cup of flour from the pantry and take it to the garden. Using your hands, spread it evenly over the infested plant to create a fine coating of flour.
- It is not necessary to cover the whole plant with flour, just apply it where you notice the presence of aphids.
- The aphids that ingest the flour will remain constipated.
Step 4. Wash the plants with a mild soap and water solution
Add a few drops of mild dish soap to a cup of water. Dip a rag or paper towel into the solution and use it to gently wash the stems and leaves of aphid-infested plants.
Make sure you clean both sides of the leaves
Method 2 of 3: Exploit Traps and Natural Predators
Step 1. Attract beneficial insects that feed on aphids
By growing herbs like mint, dill and clover, you will attract ladybugs and chrysopes. These insects are natural predators of aphids and will help reduce the number of these pests on your plants.
If you wish, you can also purchase ladybugs or chrysopes at a gardening store and release them in your garden
Step 2. Attract insect-eating birds to correct the problem
Wrens and tits are very useful against aphids. To encourage these birds to live near your garden, plant dense bushes or small trees that are ideal for a nest. You can also install a bird feeder to make your garden even more inviting.
Install small aviaries for birds to live in if you prefer not to plant bushes or trees
Step 3. Stop the ants from helping the aphids
These insects help each other, because aphids help provide food for the ants. If you notice a colony of ants or many specimens near the plants infested with these pests, try to get rid of the ants by using a strip of duct tape tied around the plant or by using some other type of ant trap.
- Ants and aphids live in symbiosis. The former protect the aphids from predators and the latter produce sugary liquids that the ants eat.
- You can also use vinegar, lemon juice, or cinnamon to keep ants away from your plants.
Step 4. Purchase a sticky trap to catch aphids
These yellow traps allow you to catch parasites thanks to the sticky surface. Just hang them on a branch or place them close to plants. You can buy them at gardening stores or on the internet.
Step 5. Use aphid's favorite plants to keep them away from others
Grow plants that attract aphids, such as asters or cosmoses, by placing them away from the ones you want to protect. Pests will be attracted to these plants and, as a result, will stay away from those that are less attractive to them.
- Aphids also love dahlias, dolphins, and zinnias. These plants act as a red herring and will be a kind of sacrifice for aphids. The parasites will focus on them, so don't get too attached to them.
- If you don't keep aphids under control, their population will only increase and over time they will infect the rest of the garden as well. You will also need to limit its presence on plants that act as a trap.
- Choosing the location for your bait plants depends on the specific type and space you have available to grow them. Start with a distance of at least 60 cm.
Method 3 of 3: Use Spray Insecticides
Step 1. Mix essential oils to use on plants
Combine peppermint, rosemary, thyme and clove oils - 4-5 drops of each oil will be enough to mix in a bowl or cup. Pour the solution into a spray bottle filled with water, then shake it well. Apply the mixture to aphid-infested plants.
Always use the same spray to apply the oils. These products have a tendency to penetrate the plastic and release their own aroma, so you will no longer be able to use the bottle for other purposes
Step 2. Make a homemade garlic spray to use on aphids
Prepare it by chopping 3-4 cloves of garlic which you will mix with 2 teaspoons of mineral oil. Let the mixture sit for 24 hours before straining the garlic pieces. Pour it into a spray bottle, along with 500ml of water and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap, then spray the solution onto the plants.
You can also make a tomato-based spray to use on plants
Step 3. Spray neem oil on aphid-infested plants
By mixing this oil with a little water, you will be able to create an organic repellent product for these parasites. Pour the water and neem oil into a spray bottle and apply it to the infested sections of the plant.
- You can find neem oil in gardening stores, some hypermarkets, or on the internet. Note that the oil will leave its fragrance inside the spray for a long time. It is best to avoid using the bottle for other purposes.
- You can also use specific pest control oils to spray on plants.
Step 4. Use insecticidal soap to control aphids
You can buy these types of soaps at gardening stores or on the internet. Read the instructions to find out the doses of soap to add to the water before applying the product on infested plants.
- These soaps are meant to get rid of aphids.
- Insecticidal soaps are less toxic to mammals (humans and pets) than chemical insecticides. That said, follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding safety precautions and protections you should wear when using the insecticide.
Advice
- Inspect plants regularly for aphids. These infestations start slowly and are easier to control in the early stages than in the advanced ones.
- By combining various methods, you will get better results. Invite natural predators to your garden and keep ants away, but don't hesitate to try some oil-based sprays at the same time.
- It is easier and more practical to manage pests such as aphids before they can cause an infestation. To combat an extensive infestation, it takes time, patience and various control methods.
- Chemical pesticides should always be the last line of defense against aphids, as it is easy to manage these pests by less toxic means.
Warnings
- Avoid spraying pesticides during the hottest, sunniest hours of the day, as they can burn your plants. Use these products in the evening or early in the morning when it's cooler.
- Some plants don't tolerate sprays or other oil-based products well. Do some research to see if the infected plant you want to treat tolerates certain insecticidal sprays and soaps well before applying the remedy.
