How to Get Rid of Aphids On Indoor & Outdoor Plants
Aphids are small, green insects that will suck the sap out of indoor and outdoor plants. They are smaller than a grain of rice and typically congregate on the underside of new leaves or form clusters on new stem growth. Here’s how to get rid of aphids naturally!
Learn How to Get Rid of Aphids
Aphids belong to the insect family Aphididae and, no plant is safe from them. Fortunately, they are easy ways to eliminate aphids with organic methods.
After you learn how to get rid of aphids on indoor and outdoor plants, follow the tips to help prevent a re-infestation of these destructive insects.
Signs of Aphid Infestation
Aphids are very mobile and travel from plant to plant quickly. Be observant of indoor and outdoor plants and the signs that alert you to an aphid infestation.
These small creatures travel from plant to plant by crawling or flying. If one plant in a grouping has aphids, the other plants usually will, too.
So, make sure to check very carefully.
When aphids are present, new leaves will look crinkled and stunted on indoor or outdoor plants. If the infestation is severe, the leaves will begin to fall off the plant.
Look on the underside of the leaves and on new stem growth for clusters of tiny green aphids.
Ants Follow Aphids
Where there are aphids, there will be ants. Having aphids as well as ants is always true for outdoor plants, and the ants may find their way indoors to feast on your houseplants.
Aphid colonies are tended and protected by ants, which feed on the sugary liquid secreted by aphids as they feed on sap.
The sugary liquid is called ‘honeydew,’ and the sticky substance is also another sign of an aphid infestation.
Finding a increase number of ants on your plants may help you locate your aphid problem!
1. Cotton Swabs Work in the Removal of Aphids
First of all, note that these small insects are not attached to the plants and rub off easily. Dampen a cotton swab and rub the aphids off the leaves and stem.
Place the removed insects in a container of water to drown them.
2. Water Hose Removal
Blast the aphids off outdoor plants with a strong stream of water from the garden hose.
If the plants can’t tolerate a strong blast of water, use a spray bottle and spray the aphids off the foliage and stems.
Indoor or outdoor plants in small containers can be turned upside down and dunked into a bucket of lukewarm water to get rid of aphids.
Be sure to hold the plant stem when it’s upside down, so it won’t slide out of the container if you use this removal method.
3. Soap And Water Spray to Remove Aphids
Use a safe insecticidal soap mixed at half the recommended rate in a spray bottle and apply to infested plants.
Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions for safe application!
Only use a safe insecticidal soap if you have ladybugs working on your plants or for your indoor plants.
Many dish soap might kill beneficial lady bugs so do not use dish soap if lady bugs are present.
You can make a DIY soap and water mix that will work to get rid of aphids and other garden insects. Use organic liquid dish soap and mix one teaspoon into a quart of water.
Pour this soap and water mixture into a spray bottle and apply it to infested plants. Be sure to saturate the underside of leaves and all new plant growth.
4. Hand Picking Method to Get Rid of Aphids
The aphids can be hand-picked off the plant when the infestation is small. Squeeze or drown the removed aphids so they won’t re–infest the plant.
You can also just use a spray bottle with plain water. Spray the leaves and gently smear the aphids off the leaves.
This way you will not run into any problems with soapy water harming ladybugs and their larvae.
5. Invest in Lady Bugs!
Lady Bugs love Aphids…..learn how to encourage more ladybugs in your garden to get rid of aphids.
If you are lacking a healthy population of these friendly looking little helpers, then consider buying some lady bugs through the mail and releasing them on your aphid population!
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Prevention
An easy-to-make DIY insect spray that’s safe for plants will prevent aphids (and other pests) from infesting indoor or outdoor plants.
Combine one garlic bulb, one small onion, and one teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a blender and process into a paste. Mix into one quart of warm water and allow the mixture to steep for one hour.
Strain through a cheesecloth and add 1 teaspoon of organic liquid dish soap per quart of the water, garlic and onion mixture.
Mix well. Pour into a spray bottle and spray this mixture on plants once a week.
In Conclusion on How to Get Rid of Aphids
The old saying of “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is definitely true when dealing with aphids.
Keep an eye out for any type of aphids before bringing any plant into your greenhouse or home.
Stay on top of regularly inspecting your plants and jump on removing all aphids before they become a problem!
Happy Growing!
The article on “How to Get Rid of Aphids On Indoor & Outdoor Plants” was first posted on OriginalHomesteading.com!
