Aphids are one of the characteristic nuisances on plants, regardless of whether they are planted outdoors or cultivated in tubs. Depending on the intensity, an infestation can be fought quickly. Sometimes the use of different home remedies is necessary when several plants are affected. With the right means, you can get rid of the lice without having to resort to chemical pesticides. In this guide you will be introduced to all remedies against aphids in detail.
Aphids Guide: 10 remedies against the pests
It doesn't matter whether the plants are cultivated in pots or beds, the insects of the Aphidoidea family always find a way onto the lush greenery. Roses (bot. Rosa), currants (bot. Ribes) and elder (bot. Sambucus), for example, are particularly badly affected, which are often attacked by plant lice in large numbers. Effective home remedies have been developed over the centuries that you can use on crops and ornamental plants. These have different effects on the insects:
- suffocating
- immobilizing
- slip or fall off the surface
- chilling
- poisoning
- Lice become a source of food
For all of these effects, other agents are used, which can be chosen depending on the severity of the infestation or the plant. The use of chemical pesticides is not necessary if you are thorough and repeat some procedures. Likewise, it is necessary to remove a settled ant colony. Ants take care of their aphids intensively and can undermine the plants in the process. With the following 10 remedies in this guide you can take action against the aphids.
Tip: Depending on the intensity of the infestation, combating lice can be difficult and for this reason it is advisable to prevent the insects from the outset.
collect
One of the best methods is the classic collection. The fewer Aphidoidea there are on the plant, the healthier it is. However, this is only possible if no aphid colony has yet formed and the individual specimens are looking for a good place to suckle on their own. Collecting is very easy:
- Locate aphids
- wipe off with your fingers
- then crush
Of course you can wear gloves if you don't want to crush the lice with your bare hands. However, you cannot avoid doing the method regularly, as individual insects can always return to the plant. Once a colony has formed, the pests become sluggish, for which other home remedies are better suited. If you struggle with a lot of aphids every year, give collecting them a chance.
Tip: If your plants tolerate it, you can simply cut off affected shoot tips and leaves. If the parts are removed and disposed of in the compost, the aphids will no longer spread and will perish with the plant material.
shower off
If you want to get rid of the insects quickly, you should use water. Water ensures that the lice fall to the ground and cannot climb onto the plant once the colony has formed. Treatment with water can be done for small or large colonies. The method is even suitable for potted plants, although it is used in a different way. For plants in the garden, shower off aphids as follows:
- Connect garden hose
- aim directly at the colony
- use a sharp water jet
- shower off
- Repeat periodically as necessary
Only use a garden hose, not a pressure washer, for rinsing. Pressure washers can damage the plant. Potted and indoor plants can also be showered if you first cover the pot and especially the substrate with a plastic film. Tilt the pot and gently wash the leaves and shoots with a weaker jet of water. The plant is then set up together with the foil to dry. Repeat this method if the aphids come back. Another benefit of showering is that it increases the humidity in the air. Drought increases the infestation, higher humidity works wonders.
soap solution
Among the classic means against aphids on all plants is a soap solution. It is used as a spray, which you can produce in large quantities. For the home remedy, follow this guide:
- Use soft, potash or curd soap
- Dosage: 10 g - 30 g of soap per 1 liter of water
- use warm water
- put in spray bottle
- mix well
- let cool down
The soap solution can then be sprayed directly onto the affected parts of the plant. With this method, it is important to apply the agent as often as necessary. If more lice appear on the plant, you need to spray again. Do not use the lye on plants that have delicate foliage. This can lead to injuries.
Tip: As an alternative to soft and potash soap, you can make a spray from five milliliters of biological dishwashing liquid and half a liter of water. The detergent ensures that the surface of the sprayed parts of the plant is too slippery for the lice and they fall on the floor.
vegetable brew
A decoction of different herbs and plants can work wonders against the insects. Many different herbs and plants are suitable for this, which are either soaked for a maximum period of 24 hours or boiled for 30 to 60 minutes. These include:
nettle manure
- Oregano: Boil 10 g in 1 liter of water
- Onions: Boil 1 onion in 1 liter of water
- Nettles: Infuse 100 g in 1 liter of water (cold).
- Rhubarb leaves: Boil 200 g in 1 liter of water
- Tansy: Boil 100 g (dried) or 250 g (fresh) in 1 liter of water
At the end, the mixture is strained through a fine sieve, cooled and can then be used. Depending on your needs, you can dilute the brew with a little water.
Notice: Another term for this form of spray solution is tea, which can also be made from the plant species mentioned. On the other hand, if herbs such as stinging nettles ferment in water for a period of up to two weeks, a strong liquid manure is produced that may only be applied undiluted.
garlic barrier
It is often difficult to use sprays, especially for indoor plants. For this reason, barriers must be created against the aphids, which get into the plant sap via the soil and roots. To do this, peel one or more cloves of garlic (depending on the size of the pot) and put them in the substrate. Half the garlic clove should be sticking out of the ground. They are placed near the stem so that the ingredients are effective against insects.
milk
Lactic acid is a horror for aphids. The lice die from the use of the acid, which makes the food a good solution to a heavy infestation. You can use either skimmed or low-fat milk and mix it with water. The dosages at a glance:
- Skim milk: 1 part to 2 parts water
- Low-Fat Milk: 1 part to 5 parts water
Spray directly on the lice and remove any parts of the plant that are too damaged.
potatoes
Did you know that the starch in potato water is poisonous to lice? Potato water is particularly suitable for use in the greenhouse against early infestation. As with the other sprays, you first have to let the potato water cool down and then it is sprayed directly onto the plant at regular intervals. Feel free to use more of the aphid remedy.
Black tea
You can get rid of aphids with black tea. The tea is used especially for sensitive plants, as the tannins cannot harm them. The tea can also be applied to indoor plants with a cloth. The home remedy is as follows:
- Dosage: 2 bags of black tea (5 g) for 500 ml of water
- boil tea
- let cool down
- use
rapeseed oil
With rapeseed oil you can effectively combat aphids in the spring. The nature of the oil means that the insects will suffocate after they hatch or are still roaming the plant in small colonies. Since rapeseed oil should not be used pure, you have to dilute it to fight the pests. For one liter mix 300 ml rapeseed oil and 700 ml water and apply directly.
deploy beneficials
lacewing
For prevention and against colonies, beneficial insects can also be settled. These are different insects that have a real craving for the lice. Lacewing larvae (Chrysoperla carnea) and the two-spot ladybird (Adalia bipunctata) are particularly suitable for this purpose, and you can purchase them in sufficient quantities. It is also possible to use insect hotels to colonize earwigs (Dermaptera) and other insects such as spiders, which fight the lice all by themselves. Ichneumon wasps (Ichneumonidae) and hoverflies (Syrphidae) as well as various beetles should also be mentioned here.