Every gardener and plant lover knows them - and everyone fears them: aphids. Among the many aphid species, it is often white aphids that attack plants. But if you garden in a natural way, a few lice won't bother you that easily. With a little patience and the right home remedies, you can get rid of the bugs without resorting to chemicals. The top priority: keep calm and take consistent action against the pests.
nutrition and damage
White aphids pierce the ducts of plants with their proboscis in order to reach the plant sap. They are primarily after the proteins they contain. However, proteins only occur there in low concentrations. The aphids cannot utilize the large amounts of sugar in the plant juices, which is why they excrete it again as so-called honeydew. Sooty fungi use the honeydew as a breeding ground and (in contrast to the aphids themselves) can cause considerable damage. In addition, the sucking insects release special proteins with their saliva, which effectively prevent the wound from closing. Pathogens such as viruses and bacteria get into the plant through the puncture site and can lead to their death. So you should do something about the pests as early as possible.
Proven home remedies
White aphids can certainly also be combated with professional pesticides from the garden market. However, the granules or liquids available there are often enriched with toxins that not only destroy the lice, but may also damage the environment. Natural home remedies are therefore better suited to get rid of the pests in an ecologically safe way.
soft soap
The most well-known means of combating white aphids is soft soap, also known as potash soap. It contains neither fragrances nor dyes and does not contain any artificial thickeners. Personal care products, on the other hand, usually contain additives that are not well tolerated by many plants. Able to loosen the sticky lice from the leaves and stems of the plant, soap is an effective home remedy for an infestation.
- 50 g soft soap
- 1 liter of lukewarm water
If the infestation is severe, you can also add 20 ml of alcohol or spirits (a shot glass full) and spray the infested plant with it.
Notice: Did you know that soapwort also contains a substance that acts like soap and is therefore also suitable for combating lice?
Suitable neighboring plants
Some plants naturally have a deterrent effect on aphids. This not only protects them from infestation with the sucking insect, but also extends to the neighborhood. However, the right combination is important here:
savory
- Savory with beans
- Lavender: roses
- Nasturtium: Tomatoes and fruit trees
- Chervil protects salads
Natural predators
Fortunately, the unloved white aphids also have a number of natural predators. Ladybugs and their larvae are particularly effective. They eat up to 400 of the lice a day. Lacewing larvae are even more voracious. Each one of these larvae creates up to 500 of the plant pests. Outside, you can attract these beneficial insects with a varied garden in which, of course, no insecticides may be used. In order to fight the white aphid naturally in the house and in the garden, there are some of these beneficial insects to buy in specialist shops.
lacewing
- lacewings
- ladybug
- parasitic wasps
- hoverflies
- assassin bugs
Broths, infusions and teas
In the fight against white aphids, infusions made from certain plants that grow almost everywhere in gardens or along the way have also proven their worth. Sprayed onto the pests - especially the undersides of the leaves - for several days, they effectively help to get rid of the aphid infestation.
From nettle broth to fern leaves
nettle brew
An effective way to combat white aphids is a broth that you can easily make from stinging nettles (Urtica).
- 200 g fresh nettles
- alternatively: 20 g dried material
- 1 liter of water
nettle manure
approach
Shred the nettles with your hands, scissors or a knife and pour cold water over them. The whole thing must take at least twelve hours. Filter out all solid components using a cloth or sieve and use the broth undiluted for spraying.
Notice: If the nettle brew is already fermenting, it must never be sprayed on the plants. But it can be used as a fertilizer.
Ivy leaves (Hedera helix)
The common ivy, which grows in most of our gardens, has a very special property that makes it a perfect tool in the fight against white aphids: it is poisonous. And not only for people and pets, but also for the sucking pests. The saponins contained in it kill the lice even in low concentrations.
Common ivy, Hedera helix
- about 50 ivy leaves
- 1 liter of water
approach
Roughly chop the ivy and let it simmer in a liter of water over medium heat for at least 30 minutes. After cooling, sift out the leaves and squeeze them out again by hand. The broth can be sprayed undiluted on the lice.
Notice: When using poisonous plants, you should always work very purposefully and take the necessary protective measures.
fern leaves
Some ferns, such as tansy, also contain toxic substances that kill white aphids. Sprayed onto the affected plant as an infusion, they develop their effect after a short time. For safety reasons, only use a fern infusion to get rid of aphids when pets and small children can't come into contact with it.
- Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)
- Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
- Male fern (Dryopteris)
- 100 g fresh leaves
- 1 liter of water
approach
Put the chopped fern leaves in a saucepan, add water and simmer over low heat for about an hour. After cooling, sift out all solid parts of the plant. The brew can be sprayed undiluted onto the affected plants.
From garlic to black tea
garlic
If you plant garlic or other leeks from the Allium genus, such as onions or leeks, between your crops, you can not only get rid of aphids, but also voles. With houseplants, an infusion of the strongly smelling tubers has proven itself to ward off aphids.
- 50 g fresh garlic
- 1 liter of water
approach
Chop the garlic into small pieces and pour boiling water over them. After 30 minutes, strain through a cloth and allow to cool completely. Then spray undiluted on the aphids.
neem oil
Using neem oil to get rid of the aphid infestation is very simple. All you need is some neem tincture from the drugstore or pharmacy, water and a flower spray bottle.
- about 30 drops of neem oil
- 1 liter of water
Oregano Tea
Oregano contains substances that act against white aphids. As a spray, it is not only quick to make, but also completely harmless to humans and pets.
Origanum vulgare
- 100g fresh oregano
- alternatively 10 g dried oregano leaves
- 1 liter of water
approach
Pour the oregano with boiling water like a tea and let it steep for about 20 minutes. Strain out the solids using a cloth or sieve and allow the tea to cool to room temperature. Dilute 1:3 before spraying.
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Less well known, but still very effective against lice, are the brown fruits of the horse chestnut. The common horse chestnut is widespread in our country. There is bound to be a chestnut tree near you.
- 10 ripe chestnuts
- 1 liter of water
approach
Chop or mash the chestnuts and simmer in the water over low heat for about 30 minutes. Finally, after cooling and straining, you can spray the broth undiluted on infested plants.
Black tea
A popular and good home remedy for aphids of any kind is black tea. To do this, simply pour a liter of boiling water over two tea bags and let the whole thing steep for at least twenty minutes. After cooling down, the tea is used in a spray bottle.