Aphids like to eat fruits, flowers, vegetables, and various other types of plants so that they can damage the beauty of the garden. These small, pear-shaped and multicolored insects usually swarm in the shaded parts of the leaves. To get rid of these annoying pests, attract beneficial insects (such as the koksi beetle) to your yard, or try to reduce the ant population. To control aphids, you can also use a spray filled with a variety of ingredients, from various oils to garlic. If you want a quick fix, try repelling the aphids with a strong water spray, or sprinkling flour on the affected plants.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Aphids with Household Ingredients
Step 1. Spray the plant with a strong stream of water
Spray cold water on plants affected by aphids using a hose. This spray can dislodge the aphids from the plant. Rainstorms can also knock aphids off of plants.
- Even if you need a strong water pressure, make sure you use a water pressure that is not too strong so that the plants are not damaged.
- Repeat this spray as needed when the aphids reappear.
Step 2. Clean the aphids by hand
If you see aphids crowding your plants, use your hands to squeeze them out. Drop aphids attached to plants in a bucket filled with soapy water to kill them.
- When the aphid attack has reached the entire stem or leaf, trim the section with garden shears and put it in a bucket filled with soapy water.
- Protect your hands by wearing gloves.
Step 3. Sprinkle flour on the plants to combat the infestation of aphids
Take a cup of flour from the pantry or pantry and take it to the garden. Sprinkle flour evenly on plants affected by aphids until the plants are covered with a thin layer of flour.
- You don't have to sprinkle flour all over the plant. Only sprinkle on areas where aphids are infested.
- Aphids will suffer from constipation when ingesting flour.
Step 4. Wipe the plant using a mild soap and water mixture
Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with one cup of water. Dip a tissue or cloth into the mixture. Next, gently wipe the leaves and stems of the aphid-infested plant using the cloth/tissue.
Make sure to wipe both sides of the leaf
Method 2 of 3: Introducing Predators and Setting Traps
Step 1. Attract beneficial insects that will prey on the aphids
Plant herbs such as mint, fennel, or clover to attract ladybugs and lacewings (a type of butterfly with transparent wings). Both of these insects are predators of aphids, which can help reduce the population of aphids that attack plants.
If you prefer, you can also buy koksi or lacewing beetles at a farm store or florist to remove in your yard
Step 2. Attract insectivorous birds to help deal with aphids
Red anises, rock sparrows, and jackals can be useful as they prey on aphids. To lure these birds to stay around your yard, plant a bushy leafy shrub or small tree where the birds can nest. You can also provide bird feed to invite the arrival of the bird.
Make a small birdhouse for the birds to live in if you don't want to plant trees or shrubs
Step 3. Get rid of the ants that help the aphids
Ants and aphids have a mutually beneficial relationship because the aphids provide food for the ants. If you find an ant colony or swarm of ants around a plant that is infested with aphids, remove the ants using a sticky band wrapped around a tree, or another ant trap.
- Aphids and ants have a symbiotic relationship. The aphids produce a sweet liquid which the ants eat, while the ants protect the aphids from predators.
- You can also use vinegar, cinnamon, or lemon juice to keep ants from wandering near the plants.
Step 4. Catch aphids using sticky traps
This yellow trap will catch the aphids with its sticky surface. Hang these traps on tree branches or place them near plants. You can buy these traps at farm stores or the internet.
Step 5. Use plants that aphids like to get these insects to move on to those plants
Plant trees that can attract aphids (such as daisies or cosmos) in a place some distance from protected plants. Aphids will be attracted to these plants and walk away from plants they don't like.
- Aphids also love dahlias, zinnias, and larkspur. This lure plant must be sacrificed to be attacked by aphids. These insects will concentrate on the lure plants. So, don't plant it too close to the plants you want to protect.
- Uncontrolled aphids can make the population increase, and eventually will spread to other plants. You still have to keep an eye on the population in the lure plant.
- The distance between the plants you want to protect and the decoy plants depends on the type of plant and the size of the area needed to grow. Plant them at a distance of at least 70 cm.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Spray
Step 1. Mix some essential oil to spray on plants
Mix peppermint, rosemary, thyme, and cloves (4-5 drops each) in a cup or bowl. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle filled with water, then shake well. Spray this oil and water mixture on plants that are infested with aphids.
Use a spray bottle that is specifically used for spraying essential oils. This oil tends to leave an aroma and seep into the plastic so it is not suitable for other purposes
Step 2. Make your own garlic spray to treat aphids
Chop 3-4 cloves of garlic and mix them with 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of mineral oil. Allow the mixture to set for 24 hours, then strain the garlic pieces. Put this mixture in a spray bottle filled with 500 ml of water and 1 teaspoon (5 ml) of dish soap. Next, spray this garlic mixture on the plants.
You can also make a spray from tomato leaves to use on plants
Step 3. Spray neem oil on plants that are infested with aphids
Mix neem oil with a little water to make an organic concoction that can repel aphids. Put the mixture of neem oil and water in a spray bottle, then spray it on the part of the plant that is infested with aphids.
- You can buy neem oil at farm stores, supermarkets, or the internet. Remember, neem oil will leave a scent on the spray bottle for a long time. We recommend that you use a bottle specifically used for this purpose.
- You can also use horticultural oil to spray on plants.
Step 4. Use insecticidal soap to control aphids
You can buy this soap at a farm shop or the internet. Read the instructions provided to find out how much soap to mix with the water before you spray it on plants to repel aphids.
- This soap is designed to kill aphids.
- Insecticidal soaps are less toxic to humans and pets than chemical insecticides. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding precautions to take or what equipment to wear when using it.
Tips
- Check plants regularly for aphids. The aphid attack starts slowly so it is easier to control in the early stages than when the attack is too severe.
- Combine several methods for best results. You can bring in natural predators while repelling guard ants, as well as spraying the oil mixture at the same time.
- Pests such as aphids will be easier and more practical to handle when the attack is not severe. Attacks that are already severe will require time, patience, and various methods of eradication.
- To control aphids, use chemical pesticides as a last resort. Aphids are actually easy to handle using methods that do not involve toxic materials.
Warning
- Do not spray insecticide when the weather is hot and the sun is shining because the plants can burn. Use this product in the morning or evening when the temperature is still cold.
- Some plants may not tolerate oil sprays or other products. Do an internet search to see if a plant affected by aphids is resistant to certain insecticidal sprays and soaps before you tackle it.
