Aphids are one of the most dangerous and at the same time the fastest-propagating plant pests. TO GET RID OF THE INTRUSION, YOU CAN USE READY CHEMICAL PREPARATIONS AVAILABLE IN GARDENING STORES OR USE HOUSEHOLD AND DEFINITELY MORE ECOLOGICAL METHODS. LEARN HOME REMEDIES FOR Aphids. CHECK WHICH OF THEM YOU CAN APPLY IN YOUR GARDEN.
Aphids - a dangerous pest of plants
Aphids are small pests from the bug family. Because they are not picky about their diet, you can meet them both on garden plants and those grown at home or on the balcony. Aphid feeding consists mainly in sucking sap from plants, which results in a significant weakening of the plant, distortion of shoots and a decrease in the quality of the crop. The presence of aphids is easy to recognize because of the characteristic honeydew, which is nothing more than a secretion left by the pest while feeding. Honeydew not only sticks to the surface of leaves or inflorescences, but is also an ideal environment for the development of dangerous fungal diseases.
As you can see, the appearance of aphids in the garden or on indoor plants results in significant damage, so you should start combating the voracious pest as soon as possible. If your goal is organic farming, it is worth trying natural, home methods that have been successfully used in plant care for decades.
Important! When deciding to control the pest with ready-made chemical preparations, the recommended waiting periods should be observed, which cannot be shortened under any circumstances. The period specified by the manufacturer MUST elapse between the application of the chemical agent and the moment of harvesting and eating the sprayed fruit or vegetables. It is conditioned by the type of chemical preparation used and the species of the plant and it lasts even several weeks!
Ways for ecological removal of aphids
Organic aphid sprays have two key advantages. Firstly, they help get rid of the pest without the use of chemical preparations. Secondly, they limit the harmful effects of chemicals both on our body (especially if we use them on plants whose crops are edible - vegetables, fruit trees and shrubs), and on beneficial insects, which are often natural enemies of aphids.
An effective method for aphids - beneficial insects
One of the allies in the fight against aphids is, for example, a ladybug, for which aphids are a real delicacy, so it is worth inviting her to your garden. How to do it?
In order to attract the insect, spray the plants with a solution of water and sugar. Another method is to tie pieces of yellow cloth or ribbon around the plants. Both the sweetness of the spray and the color of the material are effective lures for a ladybug, and its presence in the garden is a very effective way to deal with aphids.
Aphid repellent plants
This method will work both in garden cultivation and on balconies and terraces.
Well, aphids, in addition to natural enemies, such as ladybirds, also have natural repellers in the form of some plant species. In order to effectively reduce the number of aphids or completely eliminate the possibility of the appearance of the pest, it is worth using intercropping in the garden, which consists in planting between vegetables and in flower beds plant species that aphids do not like. Plants that repel aphids are primarily garlic and onion.
On the other hand, among herbs, mint and lavender have strong deterrent properties. Both species can be planted both in the garden and in pots on the balcony or terrace. The intense aroma emitted by these plants will effectively prevent the pest from settling in our crop.
Plant-based preparations
Preparations for aphids are prepared on the basis of plants that repel the pest. These are mainly decoctions and plant extracts that are used in the form of spraying. Importantly, they cannot be overdosed, so you do not have to watch the exact proportions and amount of spray.
Among the most recommended are:
Garlic extract. Finely chop a few cloves of garlic, then place in a jar and cover with water. For the extract to be sufficiently intense, wait a day, leaving the vessel in a warm place. After this time, the preparation is ready for use. It is enough to pour the resulting extract into the spray bottle, diluting it with water in a 1:1 ratio. You can store the rest in a cool place for up to 30 days.
Onion decoction. Pour about 10-12 liters of water over a kilogram of onions and cook for half an hour. Pour the cooled and strained decoction into a spray bottle and apply to plants attacked by aphids.
Nettle extract. To prepare a natural preparation, you need about 1 kg of nettle and 10 liters of water (we recommend standing rainwater). Pour the nettle with water, and after 24 hours you can start spraying the plants. An interesting fact is that nettle extract works not only on aphids, but also is an effective weapon in the fight against fungal diseases, e.g. gray mold.
A solution of vinegar and water for aphids
A mixture of vinegar and water is a very effective method of combating aphids, and, moreover, its preparation is extremely simple.
The solution should have the right concentration, and the recommended ratio is 1:10, i.e. 100 ml of vinegar and 1 liter of water. In order to increase the effectiveness of the preparation, you can add a small amount of dishwashing liquid to it. Spray the infected plants generously with the solution prepared in this way.
MILK AND GRAY SOAP FOR Aphids
For milk, mainly fresh cow's milk is recommended. The 1:1 mixture of milk and water is ready for use immediately after preparation.
To prepare a gray soap solution, dissolve approx. 20 g of soap in 1 liter of warm water (you can also use liquid soap available in garden stores). The preparation should be allowed to cool down.
In conclusion, home remedies for aphids are methods that have been used by gardeners for many decades. They are a cheaper and ecological alternative to chemical preparations, so before you reach for specialized plant protection products, test natural methods that may prove to be effective enough.
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