26 Best Aphid Remedies - Proven Control and Prevention Measures
Aphids are familiar to many gardeners, I am no exception. And I do not take it lightly, there were cases when, together with fellow ants, hordes of aphids deprived me of the harvest. In this article, I systematized my knowledge and identified a number of errors.
Content
A little about aphids
Aphid.
In order to correctly approach the issue of combating aphids, you must first begin to get to know it better. So: aphid - a small voracious insect that eats different types of fruit crops, vegetables, fruits, trees and shrubs.
For those who are completely unfamiliar with the pest, it is worth noting that the pests do not feed on fruits, but suck the juice from young greens and buds.
The aphid has a sharp proboscis, with which it pierces the thin, delicate skin of the tops and the reverse side of the leaves.
Aphid species, which is found in the garden:
Signs of aphids on plants
An aphid attack can only be recognized if one is attentive to the garden and inspects it regularly. Here are some of the most obvious signs of the appearance of harmful insects:
- Accumulation of insects on the underside of leaves. It can be green, black or brown spots from a distance.
Aphids and ants.
- Under the plants there are light lumps, like coarse dust - the old skin of insects.
- The leaves are wrapped, covered with a sticky substance.
- The buds dry out, deform and do not open.
- Fruits change appearance, color and shape.
- Ants are active.
How to choose a way to deal with aphids
The fight against aphids is a rather complex and complex procedure. There are a number of factors on which the choice of methods of struggle depends.
It is better with a small amount of infection, it is better not to be lazy and walk manually to kill the aphids. But you can't crush hordes on a tree with your hands.
In the spring, you can spray with an insecticide, and apply infusions or decoctions before harvesting. This is due to the safety and toxicity of some agents.
Although the methods of control are more or less the same, it is necessary to carefully consider how to remove aphids. So, it is easy to wash off from the top of the tree with a strong stream of water, and the tomato fruits will suffer from such manipulation.
I'll be honest - insecticides are not my forte. Consider me a naive pensioner, but I use everything in the old fashioned way. But many busy people have a different opinion - spray the plants in the country twice and stop worrying about it.
Ways to deal with aphids
While I was beating around the bush, I got to the most important thing - how to still kill the aphids on the site. Let's get to know them all better.
Mechanical methods
In this sub-section, I see a number of options.
Water
Wash the aphids off the hose with strong pressure. The method has advantages and disadvantages.
- simple and easy;
- cheap;
- safe;
- will reach high and thickets.
- fruits can be damaged.
- can return;
- does not work on ants.
Sticky traps
Simple in terms of cost and efficiency, but difficult in terms of execution. You can use any sticky tape or even tape.
- can be destroyed effectively;
- inexpensive materials;
- easy to dispose of.
- you have to try to get around the entire site;
- will not help in the fight against the colony.
Handmade
With a small settlement, you can walk by hand with gloves on just to crush insects. There are also positives and disadvantages.
- worthless;
- safe for others.
- may be long;
- can't get high.
Passive protection
Consider me a lazy old man that I brought this item here, because it is often indicated as prevention. But I still consider it somewhat of a defense.
Herbal formulations
Through much trial and error, gardeners have developed a number of mixtures that are effective against aphids. It is worth noting that they are all created on the basis of soap. Soap solution is the very first remedy. It creates a film on the plants and prevents the aphids from biting through them. It also promotes the adhesion of other substances.
Infusions and decoctions
All these remedies are bad only in one thing - they must be made in advance and prepared for some time. Here are a number of proven ways to help deal with insects.
| Ash | For 5 liters of water, you need to mix a glass of ash and leave for 12 hours, strain and spray. |
| Tobacco | For 5 liters of water you need a glass of tobacco, steam it with boiling water and leave for a day. |
| Horseradish | Capacity, for example, a jar, fill a third with chopped horseradish and add water to the full volume. The preparation is ready in a day. |
| Needles | For 4 liters of water you need a kilogram of your own. Leave for a week, strain and dilute with water in a ratio of 1:1 before spraying. |
| Flowers | These are infusions of wormwood, tansy, dandelion, yarrow, chamomile and horse sorrel. |
| Citrus | Insist dry peels and zest, boil for 10 minutes and mix with clean water 1:9. Before spraying, add liquid soap or grated laundry soap. |
| Celandine | Dry flowers and greens need 100 grams, and fresh 400 grams, leave for a day, boil before use. |
Fancy Blends
These are folk methods, the effectiveness of which is controversial from the point of view of some gardeners and gardeners. So, for example, a regular flea shampoo or a mosquito coil is used.
Chemicals
These are methods that quickly destroy aphids on various plants. Special insecticides have a number of pros and cons. I want to remind you that I do not call for their use, but I do not discourage them either. It is worth evaluating the pros and cons of these drugs.
- acts quickly;
- destroys various pests;
- are presented in different forms (sprays, powders, capsules).
- accumulate in tissues;
- cannot be used before harvesting;
- require protective measures.
They can be contact, which penetrate the integument of the body instantly, intestinal, which enter the body through contaminated food. Let's take a closer look at some of the tools.
Biological preparations
There are a huge number of them. But There are two main active ingredients: agravertin and permethrin.. These substances are not addictive in insects, while they have features. They are the waste products of some organisms that act directly on aphids.
Features of protection depending on the location of aphids
Although for the most part all aphid control methods are more or less the same, there are some limitations depending on the location of the pest. I invite you to get to know them through the links.
Measures to prevent the appearance of aphids
And finally, you should pay attention to how to prevent the appearance of aphids on plants. Maybe all this seems simple and elementary, but it is on such simple things that cleanliness in the garden and in the garden is kept.
- Inspect in a timely manner so as not to miss the appearance of pests.
Aphids on a leaf.
- Trim and remove weeds.
- Remove anthills from the site, monitor the spread of these animals on plantings.
- Autumn to tidy up the site, clean the shoots and tops.
- Observe the requirements of crop rotation, choose the right neighbors.
From the author
In conclusion, I can say that there are no such pests that a person could not defeat. You and I are a great force that is able to defend our garden in any battle and by any means. If you know a number of proven methods of protection against aphids, write in the comments, share recipes.
