The best remedies to get rid of aphids on your plants

Do you have problems with those tiny insects that seem to be attacking your plants? Are pesky pests plaguing your plants? Aphids, those tiny insects, can be a real headache. This article delves into the causes of these common garden pests and offers effective solutions to get rid of them. Learn to identify the signs of an infestation and discover the best control methods to keep your plants healthy and thriving. We'll explore everything from the environmental factors that attract them to the most effective pest control methods.

Get ready to reclaim your urban jungle, terrace or garden and keep those aphids at bay for good!

aphid infestation

In a garden with plants, or similarly in indoor plants, you will likely encounter aphids, a pest that can significantly damage your plant species. In fact, the aphid pest is one of the most frequent in gardening.

Aphids are a very common pest found on plants, both indoors and outdoors. Causes for their appearance on plants can include rising temperatures, nutrient deficiencies, or overwatering.

common plants with aphids

Aphids are a pest that attacks many plant species, but they are especially common on roses, fruit trees, and conifers. They can also appear in orchards. This is a top 10:

1. Roses
2. Fruit trees
3. Oak trees
4. Conifers
5. Grapes
6. Petunias
7. Geraniums
8. Peonies
9. Dahlias
10. Lilacs

destructive potential

Their high reproductive capacity leads to a very rapid increase in their populations, making them potentially very destructive. Furthermore, as long as food is available, aphids tend to remain in colonies, perhaps their most distinctive characteristic.

what effects do aphids have on your plants?

The main effect that aphids have on your plants is the weakening of the plants; they also reduce their growth and flowering. But why does this happen? This is because aphids feed on the sap of the plants. These small insects feed on the plants thanks to a characteristic piercing-sucking mouthpart that they insert into the vegetation to extract the sap.

Aphids are also considered disease transmitters if they invade healthy plants after attacking infected ones.

problems associated with aphids

Large aphid infestations can produce a sticky, sugary residue known as honeydew. This substance attracts ants and can promote the growth of fungi on the plant surface. In some cases, ants even carry aphids to other healthy plants. Aphids can transmit viruses to healthy plants when they inject their beak while feeding. These viruses can cause wilting, yellowing, and reduced yields in various vegetables and ornamental plants.

how to detect and control aphids?

This pest is very easy to detect. Aphids usually reside on the undersides of leaves and on the tips of young leaves, appearing in colors like green, cream, black, yellow, red, among others. There are about 4,000 aphid species in the world, classified into 10 families. Although there's a wide variation in their shapes, sizes, colors, and plant preferences, several common characteristics help in their identification.

When choosing a treatment for aphids, it should only be done when necessary, and avoid large doses to prevent further harm to the plant.

prevention and control in different seasons

Different treatments are appropriate depending on the time of year. In winter, a preventative treatment is performed if there's a perceived risk of infestation. In spring and summer, a commercially available insecticide from florists or nurseries is applied. If the infestation isn't severe, a homemade remedy like potassium soap can be used at home.

eco-friendly remedies for aphids

If you're not a fan of chemical insecticides, we've got some eco-friendly options for controlling aphids.

• Planting nettles, honeysuckle, or lupines near susceptible plants.
• Nettle infusion. 500 grams of fresh nettles in 5 liters of water. Cover and stir frequently. Once the mixture has broken down, strain and let it rest for 24 hours before use.
• Spray with soapy water or with warm water under pressure.
• Neem oil application. It can be applied by spraying or through irrigation, used preventively or even when pests are already present on the plants.
• Ladybugs, lacewings, and some wasps are natural enemies of aphids and help control this pest.

plants online

Have you tried all the techniques we recommended to combat and eliminate aphids from your plants, yet they still persist? Perhaps your plants are infested, and it’s becoming very difficult to eliminate them because preventive techniques are always recommended for this type of pest.

If you decide to purchase new plants for your spaces, don’t hesitate to visit our website at florespana.es, where you can find more than 900 indoor and outdoor plants with the quality of FlorEspaña.