Aphids, also known as plant lice or greenflies, are small insects that can be found on various plants.
They feed off the sap of plants and cause damage to crops by sucking out their juices.
The most common type of aphid is green in color but they can also be pinkish-red if they have recently fed on certain types of flowers. Aphids are easy to spot because they congregate in large numbers - usually around 10 to 20 per leaflet.
Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Aphids by
Natural remedies are my favorite methods for getting rid of pests!
If you need help getting rid of these pesky critters then this blog post will provide you with everything you need! We'll cover ways to get rid of aphids naturally so that you don't have to use harmful chemicals.
Get Rid Of Aphids by:
HANDS
The first method is to simply remove them using your hands. They will stick to your fingers if you touch the leaves that they are feeding on so just wipe them off into a bucket of warm water where they'll drown and die. Repeat this process until all aphids have been removed from the plant in question.
Soap
You can also use insecticidal soap which is an environmentally friendly way to kill aphids but it only works when sprayed directly onto them, not their nests or eggs, otherwise, it could damage surrounding plants as well - something that you definitely want to avoid!
Neem oil
Neem oil is an organic pesticide that you can buy from your local garden center, it works by suffocating the aphids and also has a repelling effect on any other insects that try to feed off the plant.
I like to mix neem oil with water in a spray bottle, then I give the plant leaves and stems two sprays which should be enough to get rid of any aphids that are lurking.
Just make sure that you're buying 100% pure organic cold-pressed neem oil so that it's safe for use around pets and children! You also need to wear protective gloves when using neem oil because your skin will absorb some of its active ingredients, however, these won't pose much risk since they break down quickly once inside the body. Neem oil has been used for thousands of years across India and Asia so there have been no reports of negative effects.
NATURAL PREDATOR
Ladybugs
Another effective method for getting rid of aphids is to use ladybugs. You can buy them from the garden center or simply attract some yourself by planting dill, fennel, and yarrow because these are all favored foods of the common green lacewing butterfly which lays its eggs near aphid colonies.
Once the larvae hatch then they will eat any aphids that come into their path! Ladybugs may be small but don't underestimate how much damage they can do so if you want to get rid of an infestation once and for all then this is definitely a great option to try out!
Green lacewings
Green lacewing larvae are also carnivorous and will eat anything that is small enough to fit inside their mouths, so they're another great predator of aphids.
Final Words
Aphids can be difficult to get rid of but don't resort to using chemicals just yet! Try out some natural remedies first and see what works best for your garden before spending money on pesticides.
If you're still struggling then feel free to leave a comment down below with details about the type of plant, number of aphids present as well as any other factors that might help me identify which method is most suitable for removing them. I'll write back ASAP with advice tailored specifically towards your problem so all you need to do now is sit back and wait.
