How to get rid of aphids and control them

The purpose of this guide is to know which are the most effective insecticides for aphids and to recognize the symptoms of an infestation

These tiny insects, also known as plant lice , are among the most common insects found on fruit trees, vegetable crops and ornamental plants.

There are countless species of these small parasites that feed on the lifeblood of young plants. There are around 4,800 of them in the animal kingdom. The most harmful and dangerous ones for crops are approximately 250, including:

Aphis nerei , oleander aphid;
Hyalopterus Pruni , mealy plum aphid;
Macrosiphum rosae , rose aphid;
Aphis fabae , black broad bean aphid;
Brevicoryne brassicae , waxy cauliflower aphid;
Myzus persicae , green aphid that attacks the peach tree, but also the tomato;
Dysaphis plantaginea , or gray apple aphid
Aphis spiraecola , Toxoptera aurantii , Aphis gossypii , all aphids that attack citrus fruits;
Phorodon cannabis , aphid that feeds on hemp plants.

But how do plant aphids behave? And why are they a big concern for those who dedicate themselves to indoor and outdoor cultivation?

Aphids are equipped with a particular mouthparts, called rostrum or proboscis, with which they suck the lifeblood of plants from stems, branches and leaves.

At the same time they release a sugary substance, called honeydew , into the plant tissue . This secretion alters the natural physiology of the plant, creating the ideal environment for the development of fungi that carry plant diseases such as sooty mold .

The honeydew also prevents the leaves from absorbing the sun's rays, thus blocking the correct activity of chlorophyll photosynthesis .

But that's not all, because this sugary secretion is a delicious source of nourishment for other insects, such as ants and plants, which by feeding on it contribute to weakening the plant, exposing it to attack by viruses, bacteria and other diseases. The consequences most often have to do with very serious production losses.

In this article we will talk about how it is possible to prevent the damage of aphids on plants with natural remedies , but also with insecticidal products that are not necessarily chemical.

What are aphids how to recognize them

It is not particularly difficult to spot aphids on plants. These insects are about 1 cm large. Their appearance and color varies depending on the stage of development they are in and the species they belong to.

They can be red, green, yellow, brown and black. Winged or not. Beyond the differences in appearance, it is possible to find common characteristics in the way they attack the plant and the damage they cause.

Aphids, in fact, tend to position themselves in groups on the underside of the leaves. But they are also often arranged on the trunk, if it is not of a woody type, in an almost massive manner so as to completely cover all the green parts of the plant. Here they suck the lifeblood.

All the suction points are easily visible in the form of small spots on the leaves. But the most obvious signs of aphid infestation are:

Deformed and crumpled appearance of the leaves;
Wilting and necrosis of the plant;
Yellowing;
Delayed flower and fruit production;
Poor harvest.

In the long run, if left untreated, plants attacked by aphids simply tend to die. And this translates into significant economic damage for a farmer.

What are the best aphids treatment? Control and Prevention.

Defending crops: how to fight aphids

Periodic monitoring of crops is certainly the first defense strategy against aphids. Once identified, in fact, it will not be difficult to remove these insects manually. A regular check, in fact, helps you to immediately notice the danger, preventing insects from spreading and causing irreparable damage.

Unfortunately, aphids reproduce very quickly. This phenomenon is usually favored by the dry heat, so much so that in the summer months if action is not taken in time it is possible to witness mass reproduction in just 10 days.

Obviously, massive infestations cause serious damage to the health of cultivated plants, whatever their species. However, aphids control is not everything, a good prevention strategy for the problem is also needed.

If you want to defend your cultivation or garden from plant lice, what you need to do is create a "hostile" environment for the most harmful insects. How?

Periodically checking the health of the plants , paying attention to the places where the aphids hide;
Keep your cultivation clean and well cared for, free of weeds and pests;
Remove any parts affected by aphids and rinse the rest with water or with a solution of water and vinegar;
Introduce predatory insects (ladybugs, diptera, neuroptera, hymenoptera) during the spring as a preventive biological weapon;
Plant repellent species such as nasturtium, calendula, garlic and chrysanthemum (from which pyrethrum is obtained, which as we will see is a powerful natural insecticide for aphids).

If all this is not enough to prevent aphid infestations, there are many other pesticides and natural remedies that you could consider. Find out what they are in the next paragraphs.

Aphdid on plants natural remedy to prevent and fight them

In organic farming, the practice of using organic remedies to defend crops and keep these annoying and dangerous parasites away from your plants is increasingly widespread.

Fighting them and eliminating them once and for all with a homemade aphid insecticide is far from ineffective. Here are 5 natural remedies that you should definitely try in the fight in killing aphids:

Pyrethrum;
Garlic decoction;
Marseille soap;
Nettle macerate;
Neem oil.

Pyrethrin is a substance of natural origin that eliminates aphids by acting on contact . It should be sprayed on infested plants, trying to hit the insects directly. It is very important not to use it during flowering periods, to avoid the risk of inadvertently eliminating the bees too.

Garlic, macerated or decocted, is a powerful insect repellent and pesticide effective not only against aphids. Likewise, nettle macerate is a particularly powerful biological solution for immediately eliminating parasites and keeping them away from crops for a long time.

Marseille soap , diluted in water and sprayed liberally on the plants, is a valid ally in the fight against aphids, as well as a good remedy for eliminating the honeydew that the insects deposit on the leaves.

Finally, Neem oil , a natural and totally non-toxic insecticide. Its particularly pungent smell acts as an excellent repellent for aphids and more. Simply dilute a few drops in water and spray the solution on the ground or directly on the infested parts of the plant.

How to kill and control aphids: what is the best insectide

The best insecticide for aphids would be an organic product , free of toxic chemical components, which does not alter the organoleptic qualities of the plant on which it is used.

However, it is not always possible to effectively combat aphids with natural remedies. Especially if the attack is of considerable severity, sometimes the only remedy is chemically.

There are different types of insecticide on the market for plant lice based on various sufficiently effective active ingredients. Among the most common products to eliminate aphids are:

Deltamethrin : insecticide with a wide range of action, usually acts by contact on both young and adult plants;
Acetamiprid : systemic insecticide for aphids not to be used during the flowering phase because it is harmful to bees;
Lambda-cyhalothrin : an active ingredient with a broad spectrum of action that acts by contact and ingestion. This is also harmful to bees.

Alongside these insecticidal products against aphids, in organic farming there is extensive use of less conventional but equally valid systems: natural potassium soap for aphids , pine and nettle oil such as Kanaplant Difesa 1 or azadirachtin , a component extracted from Neem oil .

Visit the category of our online shop entirely dedicated to insecticides and natural repellents for the fight against aphids and any other plant parasite.

Choose the ready-to-use product best suited to your cultivation needs. And make your online purchase in complete safety directly on Grow Shop Italia .