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The beginning of Spring usually signals warm weather and an urge to spend some time in the garden admiring our plants and their fragrant flowers. This enthusiasm can be dampened, however, if we happen to find colonies of red aphids on our carefully looked after plants. If this is the case, don’t worry, there are quite a few things you can do to save your plants.
Red aphids are small insects that multiply in the spring, with the advent of warmer days. They form colonies at the ends of the greenest and most tender shoots. The reason for this is that they feed on the plant’s sap by introducing their long and thin suckers into the tender parts of the plant. Their constant feeding depletes our plants of energy and they become weak, their leaves curl up, and the flowers can drop. They could also transmit viruses and other diseases from other plants in the area, so it is extremely important to get rid of them as soon as we notice their presence.
Fortunately, it is quite easy to get rid of red aphids, and there are many ways of doing so. Maybe the most natural way of disposing of red aphids is to use a jet of water directly from the hose in order to make them fall off, in which case they will most likely get stuck to the mud under the plant. This method can be very effective, but you must always remember to check every week to see if the aphids have reappeared. If they have, you could always try another method.
To drastically reduce the number of red aphids in your plants, you should prune the tips of the branches, where aphids gather. Of course, this is not possible if your plants are in bloom, but if not, this is a quick way of getting rid of great numbers of aphids naturally. Another organic and natural way of controlling red aphids is to introduce into our garden the species of insects that feed on red aphids. The most beloved of these insects is sure to be the ladybug, but there are others, like the lacewing fly and the praying mantis. These beneficial insects can eat large quantities of aphids, assuring our plants’ survival by keeping aphids under control.
If this solution does not appeal to you, you can try making mixes with a variety of ingredients that are sure to keep them at bay. A possible option is to mix alcohol and water, and add to it about five crushed cloves of garlic. Soapy water will also do the trick. Spray any of these on your plants once a week and you will have no more problems with red aphids.
If none of the previous suggestions work, you can always resort to pesticides. Try to use a systemic pesticide to control aphids, so that you do not kill beneficial insects as well. Be careful not to use systemic pesticides on plants or fruits that you will later want to eat. Follow these suggestions and your problems with red aphids will be solved for good.
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Author Bio Box: Patricia Wainwright
Get all the facts about pest and disease and organic gardening at GreenThumbArticles.com!
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