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When people want to describe a catastrophic infestation, they compare it to a “plague of locusts”. Well, I’ve never seen a plague of locusts; but, it can’t possibly be any worse than a plague of aphids. These destructive little buggers can strip plants down to their bare stems in a couple of days or less. If you see aphids in your garden, you need to strike hard and fast before they destroy everything from vegetable plants to flowers and even trees.
How To Kill Aphids - Natural Pesticide Recipe
Most home aphid killers use a combination of dish washing soap, cayenne or crushed red pepper, garlic, and warm water. Mix a couple teaspoons of dish washing soap, 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper, and 1 quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray aphid-infested plants thoroughly, making sure that you hit the tops and bottoms of leaves and inside little crevices where the aphids can hide.
How To Kill Aphids - Natural Enemies
Another method to get rid of aphids is to introduce a natural predator. One of the biggest aphid destroyers is the common ladybug. You can buy ladybugs from garden centers and greenhouses, or lure them to your property by planting ladybug friendly plants. Ladybugs are attracted to fennel, yarrow, tansy, dill, and dandelions. They also need a water source, so keep the birdbath filled or leave a shallow pan of water out in the garden. Ladybugs are an excellent organic solution to your aphid problem because they will kill the pests without damaging your plants or harming the environment.
How To Kill Aphids - Other Concerns
You should be aware that an aphid infestation may be an indicator of another problem – ants. Aphids are considered the “cows” of the insect world. They are herded into groups by ants who feed off the honeydew that aphids excrete. It sounds weird, but it’s true! If you have an aphid problem, odds are that you also have an ant problem. If you use a two-pronged approach and get rid of the aphids and ants simultaneously, you will reduce the odds that the aphids will return.
Don’t let aphids destroy all the hard work you put into you vegetable and flower gardens. Consider purchasing a flock of ladybugs to live in your garden and act as a preventative measure. If you don’t use natural predators, be prepared to act quickly at the first signs of a problem. Don’t hesitate; if unchecked, aphids can and will destroy your plants in a few short days.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about pests and disease and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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