Aphids are perhaps the most common and troublesome pests. But they are relatively easy to control provided you act as soon as they are detected. Today we will be telling you how you can get rid of aphids in the easiest way possible. We will teach you how to make All-Purpose Insect Spray and Insecticidal Soaps at home that will help you to get rid of aphids.
What are Aphids?
Aphids come in different colors: black, gray, brown, light yellow, and green. Sometimes called plant lice, these soft-bodied pests multiply faster than rabbits. They suck plant juices and excrete a sticky substance (called “honeydew”) on the leaves and stems of plants.
The honeydew allows sooty mold to grow, and it also attracts ants. In fact, if you have ants indoors, they’ll be drawn to the honeydew deposits, and then you’ll have ant colonies in your flowerpots. Outdoors, aphids are a problem, and the ants don’t help. They actually herd the aphids, moving them about, so that they’ll produce honeydew for the ant colony.
Symptoms
- Plants appear tired.
- Stems and leaves, especially on new growth, may be distorted.
- Leaves curl, discolor, and display reduced growth.
- Flowers are damaged.
Signs they’re there
Aphids can be present at any time of the year on houseplants. You may feel the sticky honeydew on leaves and stems. Look for them clustering on leaves, buds, and stems.
Susceptible Plants
Any plant with soft stems and leaves is susceptible to aphid infestation. The following plants are particularly vulnerable:
a) Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum hybrids).
b) Impatiens (Impatiens species).
c) Nasturtiums (Nasturtium species).
d) Persian violets (Exacwn affine).
e) Roses (Rosa species)
How to Get Rid of Aphids?
Try wetting down your plants repeatedly to get rid of aphids. If it’s winter, give your plants a shower indoors every two weeks. If it’s summer, hose them off outside. You also can try removing the aphids with your fingers. Other solutions to try: • Commercial insecticidal soaps • The Old Soap Bath Remedy • All-Purpose Insect Spray • Ladybugs and lacewings.
The Old Soap Bath Remedy
This is the simplest and oldest method of insect pest control for houseplants. Remember when Grandmother threw her soapy dishwater out the back door and onto the rose bushes near the house? She knew what she was doing. Soap solutions wash away insects, insect eggs, dust, and dirt.
Application: Greenhouse or garden room.
Using: Hand mister, pump-up sprayer, dipping.
Repeat treatment: Once a week, if needed.
Warning: Don’t use this remedy on hairy plants such as African violets or begonias.
Ingredients: 1-gallon warm water, 1 tablespoon mild liquid dish-washing soap.
Procedure.
- Start with the water.
- Add the soap and mix thoroughly.
- Spray or dip the affected plant.
- Leave the solution on the plant for 2 hours.
- Rinse the plant with warm water.
All-Purpose Insect Spray
This remedy contains alcohol and soap. You’ll actually increase the effectiveness of your soap solution by mixing it with rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. The alcohol will penetrate the insect’s waxy coating and allows the soap to kill it.
Application: Greenhouse or garden room.
Using: Hand mister or pump sprayer.
Repeat treatment: Twice a month, if needed.
Ingredients 1-quart warm water, 4 tablespoons rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon mild liquid dish-washing soap.
Procedure
- Start with the water.
- Add the soap and alcohol, and mix thoroughly.
- Spray the affected plant to the point of runoff.
- Leave the solution on the plant for 2 hours.
- Rinse the plant with warm water.
Natural Ways to kill aphids
Beneficial insects should be used in the greenhouse only. But don’t release these beneficial if you intend to use sprays. The sprays will kill them as well as the pests they eat.
1) Ladybugs
Ladybugs can be used to control aphids. Many gardeners who own a greenhouse-like to turn ladybugs loose and let them keep the plants clean. I don’t recommend that you do this in the house; use the ladybugs in a controlled environment such as a greenhouse, which is not connected to your family’s living space.
In your greenhouse, ladybugs will continue to prosper and reproduce, as long as there’s a food source. They dine on aphids (which they like best), scale, spider mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies.
When you buy ladybugs, make sure you have a ready food source of insect pests waiting for them. It’s also important that you provide them with water when they arrive at their new home because they’re usually trucked in and are thirsty after their long trip. Garden centers mist them off with a gentle spray of water when they arrive, and you should, too, when you get them home.
Buying ladybugs and After Care
If you buy from a mail-order company, order them before fall weather arrives; and when they arrive through the mail, do the following:
- Gently and lightly spray the ladybugs with a mister bottle of water.
- Keep them out of the sun.
- Wet down the area (soil and foliage) where they will be let loose.
- At nightfall, open the bag and lay it at the base of one of the infested plants.
- Let them crawl out at their leisure, no need to shake them out.
By morning, your ladybugs, for the most part, will be out of the bag and feeding on the affected plants. They arrive hungry and ready to do their work.
If you wait until winter is over to buy your ladybugs, many garden centers near you will have them in late spring.
2) Lacewings
Lacewings are equally effective in the greenhouse and should be ordered before winter sets in. While ladybugs can tolerate some cold weather, lacewings can’t, and it’s possible to lose your shipment once the temperatures drop.
If your lacewings or ladybugs are very lethargic when you receive them, they may have been damaged due to cold temperatures in transit.
