How to Get Rid of Aphids
Look on plants for honeydew, which is the sugary waste excreted by the insects., Look for yellow or distorted leaves. , Look for galls on your plants. , Inspect the underside of all leaves, as that is where these pests like to live., Pick them off...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look on plants for honeydew
This will sometimes look black because a fungus or mold forms. -
Step 2: which is the sugary waste excreted by the insects.
,, You may see these tiny insects. ,,, Concentrate on younger plants, which aphids prefer.
Do this every couple of days. , Use a solution of: 8 cups of warm water 1/2 cup of vegetable oil 6-8 drops of dish soap (Do not use too much soap, as it can burn the leaves.) A pinch of cayenne pepper.
Shake well and use this weekly on infected plants. , One example is 1/4 cup of chopped ginger with 1 cup of warm water.
Let it soak for 2 hours, shake well and spray all over the plants. , These will appear naturally during heavy aphid infestations and will help to control the aphid population, but will likely not eliminate the aphids.Alternatively you can purchase these natural controls online to supplement the naturally occurring aphids predators.
Note that it is important to not use a broad spectrum insecticide on aphids for it will kill the beneficial insects in your garden (including pollinators). , These include alyssum, nasturtiums, carrots, marigolds, dill, cilantro, mustard, and chives. ,, Use care with this, as it can be toxic to you, children, and animals. , Ants can kill insects that feed on aphids, so using an ant killer around your plants may help.
Ants also herd (farm) aphids.
Meaning that the ants will keep the aphids alive and protect them as an available food source. -
Step 3: Look for yellow or distorted leaves.
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Step 4: Look for galls on your plants.
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Step 5: Inspect the underside of all leaves
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Step 6: as that is where these pests like to live.
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Step 7: Pick them off the plant or wipe them off with a cloth.
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Step 8: Cut out the whole damaged part of the plant
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Step 9: destroying the whole colony.
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Step 10: Hose the plants with cold water
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Step 11: making sure you reach the leaf undersides.
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Step 12: Spray infected plants with a hand sprayer in the early morning when the sun isn’t strong
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Step 13: and when it is not going to rain.
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Step 14: Use alternative organic sprays.
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Step 15: Encourage ladybugs
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Step 16: lacewings
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Step 17: and parasitic wasps
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Step 18: as they feed on aphids.
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Step 19: Add plants to your garden that attract ladybugs.
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Step 20: Plant ginger
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Step 21: which has a strong smell that aphids hate
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Step 22: and is a useful deterrent.
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Step 23: Use a commercial aphid killer.
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Step 24: Kill any ant colonies.
Detailed Guide
This will sometimes look black because a fungus or mold forms.
,, You may see these tiny insects. ,,, Concentrate on younger plants, which aphids prefer.
Do this every couple of days. , Use a solution of: 8 cups of warm water 1/2 cup of vegetable oil 6-8 drops of dish soap (Do not use too much soap, as it can burn the leaves.) A pinch of cayenne pepper.
Shake well and use this weekly on infected plants. , One example is 1/4 cup of chopped ginger with 1 cup of warm water.
Let it soak for 2 hours, shake well and spray all over the plants. , These will appear naturally during heavy aphid infestations and will help to control the aphid population, but will likely not eliminate the aphids.Alternatively you can purchase these natural controls online to supplement the naturally occurring aphids predators.
Note that it is important to not use a broad spectrum insecticide on aphids for it will kill the beneficial insects in your garden (including pollinators). , These include alyssum, nasturtiums, carrots, marigolds, dill, cilantro, mustard, and chives. ,, Use care with this, as it can be toxic to you, children, and animals. , Ants can kill insects that feed on aphids, so using an ant killer around your plants may help.
Ants also herd (farm) aphids.
Meaning that the ants will keep the aphids alive and protect them as an available food source.
About the Author
Joseph Diaz
Writer and educator with a focus on practical hobbies knowledge.
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