Aphid Control

Details: Published: 16.12.2024; 10 min read

Aphids are one of the most common and harmful pests that affect plants and trees. These small insects feed on plant juice, resulting in weakened and stunted growth, so it is important to know how to effectively control aphids.

Aphids are widespread throughout the world and represent one of the most known groups of pests of agricultural crops, garden and ornamental plants.
These insects are from the family Aphididae, which includes more than 5000 species of aphids. Adult aphids are pear-shaped and less than 3 mm long. The most common species is the light green aphid, but there are also pink, white, gray and black varieties. Aphids like to settle under leaves and are not immediately detectable. Therefore, the plants should be inspected from all sides. At the first sign of aphids on a plant, they can be removed with fingers, a brush, or a cotton bud. Be careful not to damage or break the leaves.
Yellowed and deformed leaves, stunted growth and an unsightly black and sticky substance on the plant may mean that you have aphids.

Aphids can be spotted on a plant by the sticky honeydew trails they leave behind. If the plant has become sticky, you need to save it immediately.
Infestation of aphids leads to deformation and twisting of leaves, contributes to the defeat of viruses, many of which are incurable.

Aphid activity is observed at temperatures above +12…+13 °C, optimal conditions for development +20…+25 °C, air humidity 80-85%.
At -6 °C female aphids die.
Temperatures above +30 °C suppress the pest.

The most radical method of aphid control is considered to be chemical, but it is based on the use of preparations harmful to human and animal health, the plant itself and the environment.

Destruction of aphids by biological or organic means with correct actions is not inferior to chemical methods, and sometimes even surpasses them.
The application of a particular control recipe depends on the plant species, its age, the degree of pest infestation, the surrounding conditions and the desired result.

Organic methods of aphid control

	1. Skim milk Dairy products have been used successfully to control fungal diseases such as mold, rot and powdery mildew, help reduce aphids and pest damage. Add laundry soap at the rate of 3–4 grams per liter. When the soap dissolves, the solution is ready for use. Spray on the plant — once a week. Absolutely non-toxic preparation, which can be used in the house. Safe for small children, pets, and people with allergies.
	2. Alcohol A great way to quickly kill aphids on indoor plants. Aphids cannot tolerate even a small dose of alcohol. Alcohol is quickly weathered and leaves no traces, so this method is suitable for treating small centers of aphids. Alcohol concentration (strength) — no more than 12% (the amount of alcohol in the product based on the volume). It is dissolved to the desired strength in warm water. To make sure that the use of alcohol will not damage the plant, test the product on a few leaves before treating the whole plant. Moisten a cotton swab with the prepared solution and wipe the places where aphids are found. If the pests have settled on thin stems and delicate buds, the plant can be sprayed. Such a shower instantly kills insects, but does not save from the emergence of new aphids, so it is necessary to monitor the results.
	3. Garlic A natural fungicide, contains a lot of sulfur which is toxic to aphids and allicin which blocks their receptors. Garlic spray is a natural and effective way to get rid of aphids. Chop 5–6 cloves of garlic, pour a liter of water and insist for 24 hours. Then strain and add 2 tablespoons of liquid or green soap to improve adhesion, mix well and spray the plant. The pungent odor of garlic will deter aphids and will not allow them to return. Repeat this process at intervals of a few days until the aphids are gone. Advantages: - The odor repels aphids and other pests. - Contact with sulfur and soap kills aphids and eggs. Disadvantages: - Garlic odor indoors. -Too much concentrate can be toxic to helpful insects.
	4. Garlic and onion peel Being a natural fungicide is used to protect garden and indoor plants from pests. The husks contain various minerals and biologically active substances helping to get rid of diseases. To eliminate aphids and spider mites: - Take equal parts of onion and garlic husks (1 tamped cup) - Pour the husks with 10 liters of warm water. - Let the remedy infuse for 5 days. - Strain. - Add 2 tablespoons of liquid or green soap. - Spray the plant. If necessary, repeat the spraying after 2 weeks.
	5. Essential oils One of the most pleasant ways to control aphids on indoor plants. Essential oils found in orange peels, peppermint, cloves, rosemary, thyme, lavender, eucalyptus are good for repelling pests. Orange peel. 100 g of peels pour 1 liter of water. Infuse for 3 days, stir, strain, and spray not only the plant, but also the surface of the soil. Solutions with essential oils are prepared at the rate of 15 drops of extract per glass of water. Completely harmless to humans and animals, have a pleasant aroma.
	6. Water shower If aphids have clung to the plant, you can use a stream of water to wash off the insects. Before the procedure, it is necessary to wrap the pot with plastic wrap, so the soil doesn't spill out. Turn the pot sideways, upside down, use a bucket or deep dish for dipping. Repeat this shower after a few days until you get rid of aphids completely.
	7. Soap A more radical way to fight aphid colonies is to wash indoor plants with a soap solution (1 tsp detergent per 3 liters of water). If the soap is hard, rub a piece (10 g) on a fine grater. Pour it with 1 liter of warm water and stir until dissolved. Spray the solution onto the plants, paying special attention to the underside of the leaves. Before treating the plant it is necessary to cover the ground in the pot with a film, because getting the soap solution into the soil is undesirable. For greater effect and better adhesion, vegetable oil can be added to the solution (a few drops per 1 liter of water). When the water evaporates, the soap will concentrate into droplets and destroy aphids. After 20–30 minutes, the remains of the solution from the plant should be washed off.
	8. Neem oil An effective home remedy not only from aphids, but also from mold and other fungal diseases. At the same time, the oil is an environmentally friendly and natural product and is safe for humans and animals. It is made from the seeds of the neem tree and contains insecticidal and fungicidal chemical compounds. It is applied by spraying on all sides of the leaves. The film formed suffocates aphids and the odor repels new pests. The norm of consumption — 1 teaspoon of oil per 1 liter of water. The method works effectively for several weeks.
	9. Cayenne pepper A scalding solution lethal to aphids. Preparation: 1 onion and 1 head of garlic are crushed in a blender, 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper is added and stirred in 1 liter of water. It is infused for an hour and strained through gauze. For better adhesion of the solution add a tablespoon of dish detergent or shampoo. Mix well and spray the plant through a sprayer. The solution retains its properties in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. Repeat the treatment after a week.
	10. Sticky catchers Sticky yellow traps are used to control winged aphids and other flying pests. They are placed in places where insects congregate and 2-3 cm above the soil surface. They allow you to visually assess the number of insects, their species, and the effectiveness of the method. This effective insect glue can last up to 3 months!
	11. Useful insects Attract beneficial insects: ladybugs, lacewings; spiders; cicadas, crickets and wasps actively feed on aphids. By creating favorable conditions for them, such as planting attractive plants (dill, yarrow, marigold, wild buckwheat, sweet fennel, mint, flowering buckwheat, clover, peas and caraway) you can attract them to fight. One ladybug or its larvae will eat up to 50–200 aphids per day.
	12. Cinnamon The smell of cinnamon scares away green aphids. In 1 liter of water dilute 1 tsp cinnamon. The dosage does not play a special role. It is necessary to treat several times at intervals of 3 days.
	13. Black tea It is believed that tannins and essential oils drive away aphids or harm them and that spraying infected areas of the plant helps to get rid of pests. Spraying should be repeated regularly after 3–4 days.
	14. Vinegar Repels aphids with its pungent odor. In 10 liters of water, dilute 10 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (or five tablespoons of 9% vinegar). To make the solution stick to the leaves of the plant, add a tablespoon of liquid soap. Stir the solution thoroughly, and spray.
	15. Soda, salt You can destroy aphids with a mixture of baking soda and salt (1 tbsp per 1 liter of water). Stir well and spray.
	16. Tar soap The drug destroys pests, heals damaged areas. Prevents the development of diseases, increases the protective functions of the plant. For 1 liter of warm water 10 g tar soap. Spraying should be repeated after a week.
	17. Amber acid Is not only a powerful stimulant of growth and flowering, but is also successfully used in the fight against aphids. In 5 liters of water dissolve 1 g (1 teaspoon) of succinic acid. To strengthen its action, you can add 1 tablespoon of 10% ammonia solution (ammonia spirit). And for better adhesion of the solution add a tablespoon of dish detergent or liquid soap. Spraying once a week until the complete disappearance of pests. The solution should be fresh.
	18. Ammonia The acrid odor of ammonia blocks the respiratory system of insects. This property is successfully used in the fight against aphids. Ingredients: 5 liters of water, a tablespoon of ammonia and a tablespoon of green or laundry soap for sticking. Before use, test the mixture on a small area of the plant to make sure that it does not cause burns. Spray after 5–7 days until the pests are completely gone. The solution should be fresh. Prepare the solution out of reach of children and pets. Do not use the solution in hot sunny weather, as this can lead to leaf burns.