After writing, how to get rid of gnats?, how to get rid of wasps?, how to get rid of hornets?, and how to get rid of bees?, we are now writing the best ways to get rid of aphids. Aphid is a very tiny and yellowish-green insect. Their spongy bodies are thinly covered with dark, solid hairs. They have lengthy antennae which clean their back. They may or may not contain wings. Wings are translucent with transparent brown veins, and expand beyond the stomach. In this article, we are presenting the best ways to get rid of aphids fast and naturally. Aphids feed by absorbing plant juices by a food channel in their beaks. At the same time, they insert saliva into the plant.
Light infestations are generally not dangerous to plants. The higher infestations may affect in leaf bend, lifeless, stunting of plant growth, and stoppage in production of flowers and fruit. Some aphids are vectors of plant diseases, transmitting pathogens in the feeding procedure. Read this article to learn about the ways to get rid of aphids.
Types of Aphids:
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White Pine Aphid: Black or gray with long legs; found generally on white pines. This is an ordinary pest of eastern white pines. Rigorous infestations diminish the growth and may even kill minute plants. Colonies occur generally on branches and stems where the bark may be killed in patches. They may emerge when infected white pines are brought inside as Christmas trees.
Rose Aphid: Green or pink with black legs. A common and ordinary pest of all cultivated roses, this variety may also damage pyracantha. Stems, buds, and young tender leaves are spoiled.
Giant Bark Aphid: Ash gray with black spots. Nearly 1/2 inches in length with the legs, this is our largest aphid species. It attacks willow, maple, elm, oak, birch, and several other regular gloom trees. It sucks on the bark of twigs and small leaves. Bees, wasps, and flies are attracted to the honeydew they produce.
Green Peach Aphid: Pale yellow-green in color. This species damages dozens of diverse hosts, including aster, catalpa, crocus, dahlia, English ivy, iris, lily nasturtium, pansy, rose, snapdragon, tulip, and violet, as well as many backyard vegetables and some fruit trees. It is proficient in transmitting over 100 diverse plant viruses.
Chrysanthemum Aphid: Shiny dark brown with small cornices. Common and extensive on chrysanthemum where they cause stunted growth and a little curled leaves.
Woolly Alder Aphid: Plump and blue-black, but totally covered with white waxy filaments. Silver maple is the main host, but they wander to alder in mid summer, then return to silver maple in late fall. This aphid is not mainly injurious to either host, but it becomes a pain when waxy filaments build up under heavily infested trees.
Remedies to Get Rid of Aphids Fast and Naturally:
1.) Insecticides to Get Rid of Aphids
Insecticidal soap is a successful control method and is less environmentally poisonous than other chemical sprays. Apply carefully to the plant, according to label instructions, once aphids are present. Foliar insecticides may be useful if aphids turn into numerous and go on to be a serious problem. Spray foliage carefully and replicate as needed. Check for the existence of lady beetles and other natural predators before spraying any insecticides.
2.) Cutting of Stem to Get Rid of Aphids
Aphids, generally assemble in groups close to the tips of stems. Cutting off the tip of the stem can get rid of an entire gathering at once. Light infestations can be restricted by washing the plants with a powerful jet of water, typically early in the morning, paying particular attention to the undersides of leaves. For fast results, spray every other day for a minimum of at least three times to successfully reduce the population.
3.) Biological Way to Get Rid of Aphids
Aphids have many natural enemies that are very useful in controlling infestations. Major among these is lady beetles, with both adults and larvae usually growing in number to thoroughly manage the damaging population. Other chief predators include lacewings, small parasitic wasps, syrphid flies (hover flies), and soldier bugs. Stay away from the use of any chemical sprays while predators are there.
4.) Winter Song Birds to Get Rid of Aphids
Another good practice is to promote winter songbirds to visit your backyard because many birds will look for tree bark for overwintering aphid eggs. Good varieties are chickadees, nuthatches, purple finches, and warblers. A careful control of aphids means managing the ant population as well. Establishing barriers of bone meal or powdered charcoal is a successful method, and washing leaking tree sap will avoid ants.
5.) Yellow Color to Get Rid of Aphids
Aphids are attracted to the color yellow. Fill a yellow container with a little soapy water, or place a yellow board roofed with a commercially formulated “goo” near susceptible plants to serve as traps a week or two before aphids are likely to emerge. This is quite an easy and effective remedy. This method is used by farmers for centuries as it has no side effects and is affordable.
6.) Herbal Oil to Get Rid of Aphids
Create a mixture of equal parts of thyme, peppermint, clove, and rosemary oils. The aroma of these herbal oils remove aphids by suffocating them. Blend this solution into a small spray bottle filled with water. Shake well and apply to infested plants. This powerful combination of herbal oils will destroy most garden insect, pests as well as their eggs and larvae. This mixture also works great as a general purpose outdoor / indoor insect repellent.
7.) Margosa Oil to Get Rid of Aphids
Margosa oil may be diluted in water and sprayed onto plants infected with aphids. The natural chemicals present in margosa oil work as a repellent against not only aphids, but also a large collection of other garden pests, including mealy bugs, cabbage worms, beetles, leaf-miners, ants, and caterpillars. Margosa oil is also successful in controlling the spread of many types of fungus that contaminate plants. It can be prepared at home also in an easy manner. Just boil a few leaves of margosa in a pan. Strain the mixture and use it as a repellent.
8.) Physical Removal to Get Rid of Aphids
For small infestations of aphids, it is possible to physically eliminate the insects from your plants. Don a pair of gardening gloves and brush or pinch the pests from stems and leaves. If the infestation is restricted to one or two stalks or branches, trim off the affected section and drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill the aphids. You can spray water on them to remove from plants. Water is also one of the remedy to remove aphids from plants used by numerous farmers.
9.) Soap Water to Get Rid of Aphids
The bubbly nature of household soaps makes them ideal for getting rid of temporary to permanent aphid infestations. Mix a few spoons of detergent soap in a bucket of warm water and use a spray bottle or sponge to apply the mixture to infested plants where the aphids are present. When aphids come in contact with the soap it will dissolve the sticky and protective coating of aphids. This results into the dehydration and finally the killing of aphids without harming the plant. Make sure you treat the hidden parts of leaves where the aphids and their eggs may be hiding.
10.) Natural Predator to Get Rid of Aphids
In many cases, when aphids infestation is out of control it is important to introduce predator insects into infested areas of aphids. The top most of them is the ladybug beetle or ladybird which can be bought in surplus quantity from farming and gardening stuff suppliers. Aphids are major appetite of green lacewings and hoverfly larvae. Lacewing eggs is need to be purchased from the merchant, however hoverflies will need to be attracted into your garden by some plants. You have to plant fragrant herbs like oregano, garlic, and catnip whose flowers release aroma that attract these small predators. Herbs like mint, clover, dill, yarrow and fennel can also be grown around your lawn to attract lacewings and ladybugs.
11.) Lilac Oil to Get Rid of Aphids
This oil is a natural insect repellent and a garden pesticide that helps to kill and deter aphids. It is one of the most effective home remedies to kill harmful pest such as ants, beetles, worms, leaf miners etc. The organic chemicals present in lilac makes it a wonderful bug repellent. It also prevents fungus that spreads to other plants in the garden. There are many commercial insecticides that contain a little extract of lilac oil. Follow the steps given below to get rid of aphids.
- Take 2 tablespoons of lilac oil in a bowl. Mix one tablespoon of mild soap in it.
- Pour all these ingredients in a spray bottle. Now, fill the rest of the spray bottle with water.
- Shake the bottle well so that the ingredients get mixed properly.
- Spray this liquid on your hair. You can even do this in the morning or in the evening. Don’t do it during the peak hours of the day.
- Repeat this treatment 3 times a week to kill aphids completely.
12.) Garlic to Treat Aphids
This is one of the best home remedies to treat aphids. Garlic is an excellent choice when it comes to organic pest fighting arsenal. Garlic contains sulfur which is very toxic for the pest. It prevents the plants from fungus related diseases. Follow the steps given below to kill aphids.
- Crush 4 to 5 pieces of garlic cloves and keep it in a bowl. Mix 2 teaspoons of mineral oil in it.
- Leave the mixture as it is for the next 24 hours. Strain this mixture and keep the garlic cloves aside.Now, mix 2 cups of water in this garlic infused oil.
- Add one teaspoon of liquid dish wash and a small amount of cayenne pepper.
- Take a spray bottle and add 2 tablespoons of this mixture and 2 cups of water.
- Spray this solution on the infested plants and especially to the undersides of the leaves.
- Repeat this method twice a week to kill aphids.
13.) Diatomaceous to Get Rid of Aphids
Diatomaceous earth is an excellent choice to get rid of aphids because it is a natural insecticide. The diatomaceous earth is made up of aquatic organisms called diatoms. The sharp edges of the diatoms cut through the body of aphids thus killing them ultimately. Before you use diatomaceous earth, make sure you wear a respiratory tract and can even cause eye irritation. Follow the steps given below to get rid of aphids completely.
- All you need to do is sprinkle some diatomaceous earth in and around your garden and plants.
- Make sure you sprinkle diatomaceous earth during the morning or evening time because at that time the plants are a little wet because of the dew.
- Repeat this remedy twice a week to kill aphids.
14.) Organic Fertilizers to Kill Aphids
Organic fertilizers slowly release essential nutrients that keep the aphids away from the surface of the plants. Aphids are often attracted to high levels of nitrogen. Here is a list of precautions that you need to take while using organic fertilizers.
- Make sure you don’t over water plants.Avoid over sheltering the baby plants.
- Avoid using excessive chemicals on the plants.Stop the ants from coming to the surface of the plants.Make sure there is cleanliness in your garden.
15.) Tomato Leaves to Get Rid of Aphids
This is one of the most natural home remedies to kill aphids. This popular plant contains toxic compounds known as alkaloids which are present in their leaves. When you chop tomato leaves these alkaloids are released. These alkaloids help to keep the aphids away. Follow the steps given below to get rid of aphids completely.
- Chop one to two cups of tomato leaves. Soak them in about 2 cups of water and leave it overnight. Use a fine strainer to strain the leaves.
- Mix one more cup of water to this liquid. Now, pour this liquid in a spray bottle.
- Spray this liquid on the stems and leaves of the affected plants.
- Try this homemade spray twice a week to kill aphids completely.
16.) Bug Eating Birds to Kill Aphids
This is one the best methods to get rid of aphids. If you want to control aphid then promote the nesting of birds such as chickadees, wrens and titmice in your garden. You can attract these aphid repelling predators by providing them with free food and housing space. These birds make nest in small trees and twiggy shrubs because they give them a proper covering. Plant shrubs with dense foliage so that these birds can hide from predators. Trees like boxwood, privet and evergreen bushes are excellent options to attract the birds that can prey on aphids. You can even design special bird houses in your garden.
17.) Keep the Ants Away
The aphids secrets honey drew which is consumed by ants. Ants prevent the colonies of aphids from predators like birds. So it is necessary to draw ants away from the garden. If ants are away, the birds and insects will get a change to eat aphids. All you need to do is place natural ant deterrents in your garden. The smell of cinnamon is loathed by ants. All you need to do is sprinkle cinnamon in and around the infested plants. This will help to keep the ants away and get rid of aphids.
18.) Spray Water to Get Rid of Aphids
This is one of the best methods to repel aphids. Take a water hose and spray the water with a great pressure on the infested plants. This method is wonderful and comparatively for a longer period of time because birds eat the aphids that are scattered around. All you need to do is spray water on the bottom of the leaves because this is the place where aphids hide. Do this continuously for atleast 3 to 4 days. You will notice the number of aphids decreases. Repeat this method in every few days to eliminate aphids completely from your garden.
19.) Worm Compost Tea to Kill Aphids
This is one of the best methods to kill different types of aphids such as brown aphids, wooly aphids etc. You can easily get worm compost from online stores. You can get variety of manure from garden supply stores. Make sure the particles of the compost are small. Worm compost tea will encourage the aphid control in the garden. It is a wonderful method to keep the nasty aphids away from the plants.
20.) Vegetable Oil to Get Rid of Aphids
This is one of the most effective home remedies to get rid of aphids. Vegetable oil such as soya oil, rice bran oil, peanut oil etc is an excellent option to keep those nasty aphids away from your garden. All you need to do is mix one cup each of water, vegetable oil and dish washing soap. Pour this solution in a spray bottle and shake the bottle properly to mix all the ingredients. Spray this solution on the leaves and other parts of the plants to kill the aphids.
Other Useful Tips to Prevent Aphids:
- Always try to place the aphid traps near the vegetable garden.
- Make sure you grow a plant inside a cover. This is done to ensure that the plant stays away from pest.
- Before planting vegetables make sure there are no aphids in the yard or garden area.
- Destroy ant colonies as ants can kill insects and it feeds on aphids.
- Before trying any kind of spray, test it first on the inconspicuous part of the plant.
