Although they may seem difficult to control, aphids are actually relatively easy to handle, as long as you don't give up and use a safe method of getting rid of them. These soft-bodied insects use their sharp mouths to suck the sap from the leaves of plants. You can squeeze it by hand, trim certain parts of the tree, or spray some homemade organic flea repellent for a longer lasting effect. If the aphids have left, bring in useful insects and new plants into the garden to prevent pests from coming back.
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Method 1 of 4: Recognizing Aphids
Step 1. Identify aphids by eye observation
This small insect has a spherical body, with long antennae and 2 thin tubes sticking out at either end of the back of its body. Depending on the species, aphids can be black, white, gray, yellow, green, or pink. Some types of aphids have a cotton-like covering that is smooth when viewed up close.
- There are species of aphids that can fly, others do not have wings, making them more difficult to control. Some types of aphids can grow wings when their food sources run out and then fly to other places where there is a lot of food.
- Aphids are pests that are common throughout the world, and can attack all kinds of food crops, shrubs, trees, and flower-producing plants.
Step 2. Check the underside of the leaves for ticks
Turn the leaves over, then inspect them carefully and catch any visible aphids. Despite their small size, aphids can still be seen with the naked eye. The strongest evidence that the garden has been infested with aphids is when you see it with your own eyes.
- Although aphids prefer to prey on the succulent leaves of fruit and vegetable plants, these insects are also willing to prey on any plant.
- Even small amounts of aphids can cause big problems for planters and farmers.
Step 3. Watch for any discolored or shriveled leaves
Observe when the plant looks wilted for no reason. Over time, the activity of starving aphids can weaken or spread disease on initially healthy plants, making the plants look sick.
- As the symptoms of the disease become more pronounced, you may notice small bite marks along the edges or bones of the leaves.
- Aphids usually thrive when the weather is hot.
Step 4. Look for honeydew to find out where the aphids feed on
When aphids feed on healthy plant sap, they produce a sticky substance called "honeydew". If the plant's leaves look smooth and shiny, or are covered in something like a thin layer of mucus, you're more likely to find aphids nearby.
- Honeydew can also be black or dark brown in color when mold or mildew grows on it.
- Spray infested plants periodically to remove aphids and any residue they leave behind.
Step 5. Watch out if the plant has nodules
Every two weeks, inspect the plants in the garden from the roots to the tips of the leaves for nodules. A nodule is an abnormal swelling or growth that appears on the outer surface of an aphid infested plant. Nodules appear due to irritation caused by insects (such as aphids) that feed on the plant and lay eggs there.
- The nodule may be accompanied by a discoloration that is so severe that it looks like a dark fungal lump or spot.
- If left untreated, nodules can make the plant susceptible to more serious disease.
Method 2 of 4: Getting Rid of Aphids Manually
Step 1. Squeeze the aphids by hand if they are only small
Pinch wild insects that are on the leaves of the affected plant and squeeze it with your fingers. Aphids have soft bodies so they can be killed by squeezing them. If there are a lot of them, it may be easier to use a damp paper towel to wipe them clean.
- Always wear gloves when picking aphids with your hands to protect your skin from irritants.
- Although aphids usually move around and prey on food in colonies, these insects sometimes also appear in numbers of 1 or 2 individuals at a time.
Step 2. Spray the infested leaves with a hose
The strong flow of water will knock out the fleas attached to the plants. Spray the water directly on the underside of the leaves, where the lice gather. Spray the plants with a water hose 1-2 times a day until the aphids are gone.
- Do not apply pressure that is too high as it can damage the plant, and do not over-water.
- Regular spraying is the most effective way of dealing with low to moderate insect infestation on healthy, vigorous plants.
- Wait for the plant's leaves to dry completely before spraying again. Wet leaves increase the risk of disease, such as rot and rust in moisture-sensitive plants.
Step 3. Prune the plant to remove large aphid colonies
Cut off the parts of the plant that are heavily infested with aphids. This can involve picking fruit and leaves, cutting the stems, or even removing all branches. Check carefully so you don't miss insects on other parts of the plant.
- Once the aphid-affected area is cut off, water the plant with water or a homemade aphid repellent (as described at the bottom of this article).
- This selective pruning is very suitable when aphids gather in certain plant areas.
Method 3 of 4: Using Flea Repellents and Pesticides
Step 1. Make your own soap mixture
Place 2 to 3 teaspoons (10-15 ml) of mild liquid dish soap in a spray bottle, then add a few cups of warm water, and mix well. Spray this solution on plants affected by aphids. The surfactant in the soap can make the aphids dry out. This solution is also harmless to plants.
- To make the solution more effective, add some crushed cayenne pepper.
- Keep a spray bottle in a garage or shed near your garden so you can pick it up whenever you need it.
- This solution can also kill beneficial insects so you have to be selective when spraying it on plants. To prevent clogging of the spray nozzles, it is recommended that you make a new mixture each time you spray.
Step 2. Make a mixture of essential oils
Add 4 to 5 drops of rosemary, cedar, clove, mint, or orange (or make your own mixture for each) in a spray bottle filled with water. Spray plants that are infested with ticks from the leaves to the roots. Naturally, essential oils are not liked by aphids. So any pests that don't die from the spray will quickly go away.
- Apart from being completely safe, essential oils also provide dual benefits, namely as an insect repellent and garden fragrance.
- Always dilute this essential oil mixture as too much oil can burn the plant. Prepare a spray bottle that is specifically used for this mixture because the essential oil will seep into the bottle.
Step 3. Buy a bottle of neem oil
Neem oil is a vegetable oil compound that can be used to treat aphids. You can buy pure neem oil which can be diluted with water to make a 2% neem solution. Spray this solution on unwanted insects. This oil suffocates the aphids and kills them within a few hours.
- You can buy neem oil at a large farm store. This oil is non-toxic and decomposes quickly in contact with air. So, this material is not harmful to humans or plants.
- As an added benefit, neem oil can also be used to treat other pests, such as mealy bugs, beetles and caterpillars. Don't forget, this oil can also kill beneficial insects so you have to be selective when spraying it.
Step 4. Spray the plants with insecticidal soap
Like neem oil and other natural pesticides, insecticidal soap acts by suffocating the aphids. These products can be found at farm stores, seed shops, or outdoor supply stores. These soaps are usually sold in mixed form so you don't have to do the mixing yourself.
Insecticidal soaps can be toxic to some types of plants. So, read the instructions for use carefully before you use it in the garden
Step 5. Use a commercial insecticide as a last resort
If your immediate steps still don't work, or if the aphid infestation is very severe, you may need to use a more potent pesticide. Look for products that are proven effective at getting rid of aphids. Some pesticides are packaged in convenient spray bottles, while others must be mixed individually and dispersed using chemical sprayers.
- Remember, chemical insecticides can damage crops and beneficial predatory species. Always follow the instructions given on the product packaging, and do not use more than the recommended amount.
- In the US, the ministry of agriculture there has compiled a database of low-risk pesticide products that can be useful to farmers and planters, including various other pest control options.
Method 4 of 4: Preventing Future Aphids Invasion
Step 1. Bring beneficial insects into the garden
Koksi beetle (ladybug), hoverfly (a type of flower-loving fly), and green lacewing (a type of butterfly with transparent wings) are some examples of insects that like to prey on aphids. If brought into the garden, these insects will help reduce the population of destructive pests and restore the garden order that has been damaged by aphids.
- You can buy useful eggs, larvae, and even adult flea predators at farm and gardening supply stores.
- Koksi and lacewing beetles can cause problems if left unchecked. When bringing in bugs to deal with other bugs, bring them in small quantities and keep an eye on their development so you don't get into trouble with the new bugs.
Step 2. Plant plants that will attract the koksi beetle
Provide land to plant predatory insects' favorite plants, such as geraniums, sunflowers, sweet alyssum, parsley, and queen anne's lace. With proper management, you can lure beneficial koksi beetles into your garden without having to buy, release, and monitor them.
- Do not immediately pull out the remaining weeds that you meet. Keep some weeds alive to help encourage plant diversity in the garden. Some varieties such as bugleweed and dandelion can actually attract a number of species of koksi beetle.
- Provide a water source, such as an active water sprinkler system, mini fountain, or bird feeder so that all the koksi beetle needs are met. Place a small rock in the center for the insects to climb out to prevent them from sinking.
Step 3. Use aromatic plants as aphids repellent
Plant allium-type plants (such as garlic and onions) and other scented plants (such as ginger, sage, and oregano) around plants infested with aphids. Its pungent smell is so irritating to aphids that these insects will eventually leave your garden in search of a new place.
If you want a quicker way, chop up fresh alliums and scatter them around the plants. This can save you the time you would have to spend dealing with the bugs
Step 4. Get rid of any ant colonies you come across
Kill swarms of unwanted ants using a commercial ant exterminator and destroy any mounds or nests you come across to keep the ants from coming back. Ants will hunt many insects that prey on aphids. This means that the larger the swarm of ants in your garden, the more severe your aphid problem will be.
Ants are also known to be protectors and good friends of aphids because they use the natural secretions of aphids as a food source
Tips
- Check the plants in the garden regularly to ensure that the aphids that have been removed do not return.
- Certain plants, such as nasturtiums, marigolds, and calendula, are especially popular with aphids. If you still want to keep them in your garden, place them in a location away from the plants you want to protect against aphids.
