Aphids which are small insects infecting plants in your garden can turn the beautiful lush green garden into a lifeless one in no time. These aphids are generally in white or green color and are hard to identify until you see considerable damage to the plants. Here are some home remedies to get rid of aphids.

• If the aphids are not the flying type, you can easily get rid of them by spraying water with force using your garden hose. Aphids that fall to the ground do not live long enough to get back to the stem of the plant.

• Pyrethrum spray gets rid of aphids very easily. Another homemade spray that gets rid of aphids can be prepared by boiling large amount of garlic in one quarter of water along with a teaspoon full of cayenne pepper.

• An easy remedy for aphids is to allow the growth of insects like ladybugs and lacewings that eat aphids. They can even be purchased from stores that supply gardening needs. You can naturally attract insects that feed on aphids by planting marigold, garlic and onion plants.

• To prevent the growth of aphids it is advised to grow plants in a covered area until they become tolerant enough. It is also suggested to reduce the usage of fertilizers as aphids prefer to grow in gardens with overgrowth that occur with over fertilization.

• A simple remedy to control the growth of aphids is to spray a solution of lukewarm water that is mixed with two tablespoons of dish washing soap. The soap causes dehydration of the bugs and finally eliminates them. But, this remedy has to be practiced only if the weather is not very hot.

• Place sticky papers near the infected plants to catch the aphids. You can even consider disposing a part of plant that is colonized with aphids. Though disposing will not completely eliminate the problem it will slow the spread of the aphids.

• A tedious but effective measure to get rid of aphids is to rub the leaves and stem except for the tender growth with rubbing alcohol. Aphids that come in contact with the rubbing alcohol will get dehydrated and die.

• Nettle spray that is prepared by soaking half pounded nettles in water for about a week. Strain the liquid and spray it on the plants.

• A solution made by boiling rhubarb leaves in water helps to get rid of aphids effectively. The oxalic acid present in rhubarb leaves is the active agent that kills aphids.

• Spraying neem oil helps to get rid of aphids and other damaging pests very easily.

• A simple measure that not only kills aphids but also serves as a fertilizer helping in the growth of plants is the use of banana peels which are placed on the ground very near to the plants.

All of the above measures are effective against aphids and do not cause any damage either to the plants or to the environment. It can be said to be eco-friendly compared to use of insecticides that contain harsh chemicals.

Jonathan Pitts

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