Aphids are small, soft insects from the order of hemiptera that constitute a real plague for many plants. Their appearance may vary depending on the species, but they are usually small, oval creatures ranging from 1 to 7 mm in length. They can be green, black, yellow, brown and even pink. They are characterized by long antennae and often have siphons (tubes) at the end of their abdomen through which they secrete defense substances. Aphids feed on plants, sucking juices from them, which leads to weakening and deformation of leaves and shoots, and consequently to inhibition of the plant’s growth and development. Moreover, the sweet substance they secrete, called honeydew, is a breeding ground for sooty fungi, which cover the leaves with a black coating, hindering photosynthesis. Aphids live in symbiosis with ants, which feed on the honeydew produced by the pests. Often, where there are ants, there are also ants.
How to prepare a natural spray against aphids?
Onion decoction
onion is easy to prepare. All you need to do is prepare 3 medium-sized onions, peel them and cook until soft. Cool everything and strain it through a sieve. Dilute the resulting decoction in 1 liter of water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray it on the plants from the tip to the roots. If you want the spray to be even more effective and not to drip off the leaves and stems too quickly, you can add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Thanks to this, the preparation will “stick” to the aphids on the plant. Use onion spray once a week. You can also use it preventively by spraying the plants with it once a month. Thanks to this, aphids will not appear on the shoots at all.
Gray soap
A great solution is gray soap. This is a product used to wash practically everything in the Polish People’s Republic. Gray soap, also known as potassium soap, is one of the cheapest ways to protect plants. Its properties were already used at the beginning of the 20th century. Research shows that caproic acid can kill up to 90 percent. pests, and at the same time it is safe for plants. Just a small amount is enough to get rid of lice. Grate the classic gray bar soap and mix it with warm water. Add about 150-300 g of gray soap to 10 liters of water. The solution can be used immediately after cooling.
Why do aphids take over the garden so quickly?
The key to understanding why aphids are such a big problem is their extremely fast and specific development cycle. One of the most characteristic features of these pests is the ability to undergo parthenogenesis, i.e. virginity. This means that females can give birth to offspring without the participation of males. During the growing season, one female can give birth to up to 100 live larvae, which leads to the rapid growth of the entire colony.
The development of aphids begins with eggs, which are most often laid on the underside of leaves. Larvae hatch from them, and after several development stages they transform into adults. The entire process is favored by high temperatures and low air humidity, which is why a dry and warm summer is a period in which the aphid problem can escalate in a very short time.
How and when to spray for effective spraying?
For home remedies to bring the expected results, they must be used in accordance with several key rules. The best time to spray is early morning or evening. Avoid applying it in full sun, as it may cause the leaves to burn and the preparation itself will lose its properties faster. It is also important to carry out the treatment on a windless day, which will ensure that the liquid reaches all parts of the plant precisely.
Accuracy is key – the spray should be applied to the entire plant, with particular attention paid the underside of the leaveswhere aphids most often feed and lay eggs. Natural remedies work through contact, so a single treatment may not be enough. To fully combat pests, spraying should be repeated regularly, for example every few days, until the aphids completely disappear.
Natural allies in the fight against aphids
The fight against aphids does not have to be based only on spraying. It is worth inviting natural enemies of these pests to your garden, which will help keep their population in check. They are a gardener’s greatest allies ladybugs (both adults and their larvae), lacewings, earwigs and hoverfly larvae. Aphids are a real delicacy for them.
To attract these beneficial insects, it is worth taking care of biodiversity in the garden. Planting flowering herbs and melliferous plants, limiting the use of chemical plant protection products and leaving small, wilder corners that can serve as shelter are the best ways to create a plant-friendly ecosystem. A small waterer or bowl of water during drought will also be appreciated by them.
