How to get rid of Aphids

Aphids are among the most common (and annoying) plant pests that you may come across during your plant journey. They are soft-bodied pests that are sometimes referred to as the plant lice of the house plant world. The most common Aphids are pear aphids, a light green color which makes them harder to spot. When Aphids become adults, some may grow wings out of necessity which makes them even more dangerous to the other plants in our homes! Not only do these bugs eat away at our foliage, but they can carry diseases that can cause symptoms that may be seen on our plants.

How to Identify them:

When looking for Aphids in particular, they tend to live in “hot spots” or bundles on plants. Given the traveling nature of these pests, be sure to inspect all other plants in the area you found them and even in other rooms. If you find misshapen or curled leaves, this is a clear sign that Aphids are in town and have been sucking the sap out of your plant. When Aphids feed on your plants, this can also lead to their leaves turning yellow due to its nutrients being taken from them. Typically yellowing leaves is a sign of over or under watering, but in this case it can be a sign of pests.

Unlike other houseplant pests, Aphids can seem invisible to the naked eye. The are about ¼ inch and are sometimes not found until it’s too late due to their color and hiding spaces. This is why it’s a good idea to check your plants every 1-2 months for creeping critters. If you have an outdoor garden, Aphids may be more common on your houseplants. These pests can often be found on cabbage, beans, potatoes and a variety of fruits. They feed on the stems and flowers of plants and will produce honeydew (a sugary liquid produced by Aphids) that may attract ants.

How to prevent them: 

With all house plants, it’s best to inspect your plant before allowing them to mingle with the other vulnerable plants in your home. Allow a few days of isolation before bringing your new plant around the settled foliage in your space. If you have an outdoor garden and are worried about Aphids traveling indoors, there are certain plants and bugs that will benefit you and prevent these pests. Planting flowers and herbs such as chives, dill, or marigolds will attract ladybugs to your garden- the arch enemy of Aphids!

How to get rid of them:

Aphids tend to make an appearance when your plants are under stress (kinda like getting a zit when you’re already under stress). This can happen because your plant has been over watered, under-watered, or even over fertilized. If you use a fertilizer that has a higher amount of nitrogen, this may attract Aphids to the younger shoots of your plants. This pests prefer to be in conditions not too hot and not too cold, so springtime is best to be on the lookout.

1. Vinegar 

Upon your first sighting of an Aphid, utilizing what you have at home is best to deter these pests immediately. By creating an at-home vinegar base solution, this will attack the Aphid’s soft bodies by the amount of acid in the vinegar. Mix one part vinegar to three parts water for your base. Be sure to spray your entire plant as smaller Aphids or larvae can be harder to see.

2. Horticultural oil/ Dormant Oil 

Dormant oil is another great way to not only kill but prevent Aphids. This mineral oil is used as a prevention for plant pests and will target a multitude of pest species from making shelter on your plants. This mixture should be applied during the winter to prevent Aphids or any other kind of bug from arriving in the spring and summer time. This is another great option for warding off bugs for those who would like to use a more natural and plant based approach.

3. Neem Oil

Neem oil is another great natural product used for repelling and getting rid of Aphids. Neem oil is also safe to use on your outdoor garden plants and won’t kill beneficial insects (making it less likely to see Aphids). Neem oil in particular will suffocate the Aphids soft bodies and make them unable to reproduce and wreak havoc on your house plants. Applying Neem oil to your plants will also aid in preventing diseases such as powdery mildew or blight. Be sure to rub this application over your entire plant, specifically beneath the leaves where pests love to hide.

4. 3 in 1 Garden Spray 

During the spring and summer months, oftentimes a variety of plant pests will arrive. This particular garden spray can be used for multiple bugs including Aphids, Mealy bugs, and Thrips. This mixture is made up of potassium salts of fatty acids and Sulphur that targets pest’s exoskeletons. Use this spray upon an Aphid sighting and for the following few days to be sure you got rid of Aphids completely. This OMRI certified product means that it is organic and safe to use around children or animals.