How to get rid of aphids in the garden?

How to get rid of aphids in the garden – options for getting rid of aphids

Aphids often wind up on garden plants. And after all, these small insects cause serious damage to crops. The fight against aphids in the garden includes many different methods, from people to the environment. It is not easy to cope with it. Therefore, it is worth doing it as early as possible.

What harm does aphids do?

Leaf aphids are one of the most common insect pests found in the garden plot. They damage plants and not only feed on their sap, but also transmit various diseases. Fungi and viruses develop faster in weakened plants.

Small insects smaller than a few millimeters are yellow-green or dark in color. They reproduce at an enormous rate.

Aphids produce more than 50 generations in a single summer.

The insects form whole colonies on the undersides of leaves, flowers, buds, and stems. From the outside, it looks as if the plant is covered in plaque and netting.

Some gardeners believe that aphids are not the most dangerous pest, because they do not touch the fruits themselves. But the main harm manifests itself a year after its appearance, even if it has already disappeared.

The fact is that whole colonies suck all the vital juices from plants and thus suppress them. The surface of the plant is covered with the sweet secretions of these insects, which are formed due to their life activity. This impairs respiration. As a result, the leaves and discs turn yellow, curl, become deformed, and fungi and viruses begin to develop in them.

Sweet and sticky honeydew is an ideal cheap environment for all kinds of microorganisms. Weakened plants get sick, become weak in winter, and may die completely due to severe frosts.

If severely damaged by ploughshare, plants stunt their growth and gradually die.

Aphids harm young shoots and seedlings of trees and shrubs. In addition, do not expect a large number of ovaries in the spring. A diseased plant does not have enough strength to lay a sufficient number of fruit buds.

The most harmful are green apple, plum, cherry, and thistle leaf lice. The former affects apples, pears, and some other trees. Plum and thistle leafminer infest all stone fruit species. Cherry louse, as the name implies, infests cherries and sweet cherry trees.

Signs of leaf infestation

But in general, aphids are everywhere, it has no favorite plants. It parasitizes fruit trees, berry and ornamental shrubs, flowers, legumes, bulbs and other garden plants. Signs of leaf infestation are as follows:

• Leaves of the plants curled.
• The shoots became unpleasantly sticky.
• Leaves, shoots, and buds become irregularly shaped.
• There are many ants breeding in the garden.

As soon as the signs appear, you need to start fighting the aphids. The earlier you start, the more effective the process will be.

Possibilities for getting rid of aphids

Fighting aphids is very difficult because it multiplies quickly and does it all the time. In addition, it is impossible to notice it: it is well masked by the color of the plant on which it lives. But it is necessary to fight aphids, and the sooner you start, the better. Often a combined technique helps.

Start fighting aphids with folk methods, because they are highly effective and safe for people, animals and future crops. Use the most common and effective methods, such as decoctions and infusions from plants, ash and soap solutions, and fumigation.

Precautions.

Vegetable aphids should be used with caution because in high concentrations they can sink garden crops. For this method of controlling aphids in the garden to be effective, pay attention to the following rules:

• Test the product on a single branch before completely treating the plant.
• Spray fruit crops during bud set, after flowering, and two weeks before harvest.
• Spray berry shrubs before flowering and harvest.
• Treat vegetable crops one month before harvest.

Common folk remedies for aphids

• Onion infusion. Crush the heads and let the water infuse for 5-6 hours. Then grate soap and spray the plants.
• Garlic solution. Pour 1 liter of garlic bulb in boiling water and leave it to infuse for 5-7 hours. For spraying, dissolve half a cup in a bucket of water.
• Infusions of vermouth, rainbow, dandelion, marigold, yarrow, chamomile, pine needles, scattered grass and tobacco. Pour two tablespoons (200 g) of dry raw materials in 1 liter of boiling water and leave for 12 hours. Strain and rub in half a bar of soap. The infusion for spraying is ready.

To destroy the pest, it is enough to treat plants with decoctions 2-3 times. Conduct spraying after 7-10 days. With each time the aphids become less and less.

Vegetable and fruit infusions

Spraying with vegetable and fruit decoctions and infusions is also effective:

• Citrus fruits. Pour a few tablespoons of peels over one liter of boiling water. Infuse for 24 hours, aggravate and spray the plants.
• Pepperoni. First, prepare a concentrated infusion of 1 kg of pods and 1 liter of water. Then dilute half a cup in 5 liters of water and treat the affected garden crops.
• Potato claws. Crush the green shoots and fill with water. Infuse for 24 hours. It is important to check that the tips are free of disease and fungus.

Plants against aphids are also treated with the following effective products:

• A solution of detail. Stir it in 10 liters of water and wash the affected leaves and stems. Repeat the treatment after a week.
• Dilute a few tablespoons of tar soap in a bucket of water. Spray in the same way.
• Mix a handful of wood ash in a bucket of water and spray the infested garden plants. You can rub a bit of detergent into the solution. Repeat the treatment once a week until the insects are gone.
• A solution of cream and essential oils of lavender, tea tree or cedar. With 10-12 drops of the essential oil in a half cup, add the mixture to half a bucket of water. Spray every other day. The aphids disappear very quickly.
• A solution of water and vegetable oil. Dilute a cup of oil in a bucket of water and rinse the plants. A few sprays are enough to get rid of the aphids.
• Tobacco smoke. It is better to use special smoking pipes, such as those for bees. You can find them in special garden stores. This method is suitable for greenhouses, but if you want, try it in the open garden. The main thing is to observe precautions: remove children, remove animals and wear a mask.

In general, carry out all plant treatments with gloves and a mask.

What plants repel aphids

Another folk method is to plant plants that aphids don’t like. Fennel, marigold, coriander, lavender, chamomile, garlic and onions, mint and mustard contain phytoncides that repel these pests. Make islands of these ornamental plants around the property, close to those that need to be protected from aphids. There is an article on growing marigolds from seed, have some free time, read it.

To completely remove aphids from the site, you need to get rid of the ants. They feed on their sweet secretions, so they always bring flocks to new sites. Read more about ant control in the article – here’s how to get rid of ants in the garden.

How to get rid of aphids with chemicals

From a certain stage, if it becomes too much, it is necessary to already take more radical measures, that is, chemical preparations. But this must be done carefully, because chemicals can harm both the plants themselves and the future harvest.

In order to deal with the scourge of aphids, you need to use three types of preparations of intestinal, contact and general action:

1. Dharmaceuticals enter the insect’s body with food and act from within, causing cramping, poisoning, paralysis and death. The best in this category are Bancol and Acarin, Confidor. Be sure to read the instructions before applying. When treating plants, remove children and pets from these areas or poisoning will occur.
2. Contact drugs penetrate the insect and cause a specific reaction of the body. The pest is killed. The most effective drugs in this category are Carbophos, Fufanon, Fury. But they usually produce means of contact-moisture action.
3. Preparations of general or systemic action penetrate the sap of the plant and remain in it for up to one month, circulating through the trunk and shoots. Head lice eat the young shoots and leaves and die. The plus is that weather conditions do not affect their effectiveness. And the disadvantage is the long wait for results and high danger. Today they are produced on the basis of imidacloprid. Use them very carefully, as they can cause poisoning in people and animals. The following effective and popular preparations Tanrek, Prestige, Confidant, Comandor, BioTlyn, Actara are used to control aphids.

Treat plants infested with aphids only with caution. Always wear a mask and gloves.

Leaf lice feed on insects

There are also alternative methods for controlling aphids. Use special insects that feed on these pests. These include ladybugs, trucks, slipper beetles, earwigs, beetles and wasps, lacewings, and hoverflies. You will find these insects in special agricultural stores, most often selling ladybugs there. In this article, you will learn how you can bait ladybugs on the site yourself.

This method is great for greenhouses and greenhouses. You can start on a regular garden plot by planting carrots, parsley and dill, fragrant, spicy herbs. You can read about the rules of planting dill, and how to grow spicy herbs: sage and mint, learn from this article.

Plant chamomile to attract hornwort. Its larvae feed on aphids. Runner beetles like nightshade and amaranth. For lacewings, farndikytter is suitable. Such a nook will decorate the garden plot and become a refuge for the enemy of aphids.

Wisteria like to nest in sawdust. So place flower pots with sawdust and shavings around them.

Various types of birds help in aphid control: sparrows, kingfishers, tits, crows, and robins. To make the birds like it on the property, put up feeders, feeders and water containers.

Preventative aphid control

But, of course, it is better to prevent aphids from attacking the garden. Pay attention to the following preventative measures:

• Inspect all new seedlings and look for parasites.
• Plant plants near beds that aphids don’t like. This will discourage them.
• Aphids also like to plant carrots, parsley, dill, and hoverflies. It eats aphids.
• Keep the number of ants to a minimum. They only breed them.
• Put up birdhouses and bird houses. They feed on adults and their larvae.
• Feed your plants thoroughly. Choose leaves that are overfed or weakened.
• Regularly weed, loosen soil, and mulch.

Conclusion

Controlling aphids in the garden takes a lot of time and effort. In order to get rid of aphids, the methods given in the article are enough, but the measures must be consistent and regular.

About the author: Artem.

I am the main editor of this page. I prefer to implement new ideas in the garden plot, to try different ways of growing, to implement modern methods of increasing the yield. But at the same time nourish and treat garden plants with folk methods.

Combat pests in the garden: the most effective means against aphids

In summer, you can see small pale green insects on plants in the garden. Despite their harmless appearance, they are quite dangerous and sabotage plants. This can lead to reduced yields of grain and other crops. Therefore, if you notice insects in your garden, it is necessary to take immediate action. This is where aphid control will help you, which we will break down in this article.

All about aphid control

Why are pests dangerous?

Leaf aphid most often damages young shoots, because it can not drill through the tough leaves. It feeds on its sap and also secretes a poison, after which the leaves die off and the growth of shoots is slowed or stops completely. If the colony becomes too large, it can destroy large numbers of plants. Particularly affected are seedlings of fruit trees such as apples, plums, cherries, pears and shrubs – various types of currants and raspberries.

In addition, pests secrete a sweet liquid, which slightly sticks to the leaves and disrupts their metabolic processes. Insects are carriers of various viruses and can infect plants in the garden, which is also not good for them. This is why many gardeners decide on how to get rid of aphids on trees and other plants.

Where do insects come from in the garden?

Pests lay their eggs in hard-to-reach places: in the bark of trees, on roots or on branches. They easily tolerate the cold, so they hibernate, and in the spring they begin to disperse. First, with the onset of warmth, wingless females fly out, which can reproduce without fertilization, so huge colonies appear thanks to them. Flying females appear under the insects in late spring and early summer. They are the reason for the further spread of aphids, as the female flies to another area and lays new eggs. The pests spread very quickly: they can form about 50 colonies during the summer.

The syrup secreted by plant-eating insects is loved by ants. Therefore, they guard aphids and also protect them from enemies by carrying their eggs from place to place. Consequently, pests can get to your site. This tandem is particularly dangerous. To save plants from parasites, you need to control ants.

Getting rid of aphids is not so difficult, since the individuals are soft, even a solution of soap and water can harm them. But the process is complicated by the fact that the lesions easily hide in the leaves and even buds. Therefore, it is better to treat in early spring, before the colonies have time to multiply.

signs of emergence

• Pay attention to the young shoots and the back of the leaves: it is easy to notice black, green and brown bodies on them.
• If the leaves and shoots look wet, covered with a sticky substance – this is a syrup (honeydew) that the pests secrete.
• A large number of twisted leaves that do not have time to fully develop, wither and disappear. The same can happen to shoots, buds, and fruit. If you notice this, you should sound the alarm.
• Another sign is white small “scabies” among the insects. This is the discarded skin of individuals.

Chemicals to control aphids

Chemicals are poisons to control certain insects. Carbophos and more modern insecticides, which can be found in stores, are suitable for the destruction of aphids – their choice is very diverse. The positive sides of chemicals include their quick action, and the fact that they can help in the fight against ants.

However, there are also negative qualities: this remedy for aphids should not be used during the fruiting and flowering of trees. Since you will poison the bees that pollinate the flowers, and you will not get a harvest. Fruits and neighboring plants should not be sprayed either, as you need to wait about 20-40 days, after which they can be eaten. Otherwise, you could be severely poisoned. Pay attention to the poison in the composition and the manufacturer’s warnings: some means are very toxic, so you can treat plants with them only once every few years.

Organic remedies against aphids

Biopreparations are fungi that slightly resemble mold. They are aimed at getting rid of insect parasites, are not harmful to beneficial species, and are safe for people and animals. Popular preparations in stores can be found under the names “Fitoverm”, “Tanrek”, “Lepidoside” and “Antobacterin”.

They are inferior to poisons in effectiveness, because they work for about 10 days, and they do not start working immediately, you need to wait a few days. To get rid of pests completely, it is necessary to carry out processing every week.

How to fight aphids

There are many ways in which you can get rid of aphids. But not every one of them can be considered safe. Before you buy any chemicals, try what is available first. Most of these remedies can be used during flowering and fruiting of plants. This is their advantage over chemicals. As mentioned above, the pest most often destroys young shoots, and poisoning them with chemicals is not advisable – it can cause serious damage.

However, there are also disadvantages. Some folk methods work only for a short time: as long as the smell or composition remains on the leaves. Then the treatment has to be repeated again. It is also worth noting that not all methods can work equally effectively on your site. If one does not work, it is worth trying another or combining several different ones. Let’s list how you can spray plants with folk remedies against aphids.

1. Soap solution

Surfactants, the surfactants found in soap, are capable of coating a surface with a film. For example, the bark of a tree or the body of an insect. It is easy to wash it off your hands, but the individual trapped in the soap trap dies because aphids have no lungs and use their entire body to get oxygen.

To combat it is better to buy liquid soap and choose the cheapest one. You can also use what is already on sale: dishwashing liquid or other surfactants. Many people make a remedy from crushed tar or laundry soap, but even the grated product takes much longer to dissolve in water than the liquid one.

Prepare a solution: a couple of tablespoons per glass of water. Use about 25 grams per liter of liquid. For spraying, take a helper, because the container with the solution is better to keep on the weight. You will need to dip the branches affected by pests into it. Pay special attention to the upper branches.

The process of getting rid of with soap is slow and tedious, but quite effective. You can use it on all plants, even on sullen roses. The disadvantage of this method is that the soapy substance can damage the leaves and buds if you forget to wash it off. When the colony dies, i.e. 2-3 days after treatment, the plants should be watered with a strong head of water (you should not count on rain, because the film will not wash off completely).