Aphids are small insects also known as greenfly or blackfly whose color can vary depending on the species. These annoying little bugs have a special liking for plants, both indoor and outdoor ones.
In the summertime, aphids can take over your garden which can be extremely annoying and frustrating: they take over plants and ruin them which weakens them and then makes them prone to diseases. Plants ruined by aphids become deformed, they dry out and they lose their leaves in a drastic way.
It is important to eliminate aphids as soon as you see them in your garden and the best way to do it is with natural methods. Here are a few natural insecticides to keep it simple and get rid of aphids once and for all!
1. Eliminate aphids on your rose bushes
- Mix 4 parts water with 1 part milk and pour this mixture in a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture on your rose bushes but avoid spraying them on windy days (all your efforts will have been for nothing).
2. Use nettles as a natural insecticide
Did you know nettles could chase away aphids from your plants?
- Put some nettles in a bowl and add some water.
- Cover the bowl and set it aside for one week.
- Filter it, add 1/4 water and spray the mixture on your plants.
3. Use garlic to chase away aphids
- Boil 1 liter of water.
- Crush 4 garlic cloves and pour water over them.
- Cover them and wait 1 hour.
- Filter the mixture and spray it on the plants.
4. Liquid soap: practical and effective
- Mix 20 ml of liquid soap or dishwater liquid soap with 1 liter of water.
- Add 20 ml of methylated alcohol to your mixture. Mix it well.
- Spray the mixture on the infested plants.
You can also:
- Mix 1 tablespoon dishwashing soap in 2 liters of water.
- Pour your mixture in a spray bottle and shake it well.
- Spray the mixture on your plants every week until you don’t see any aphids anymore.
5. Use baking soda to attack the aphids
Baking soda can be a very effective weapon against aphids. Here is how to use this natural product:
- Put 20 ml liquid soap for 1 liter of water.
- Add 20 ml of almond oil and 20 g of baking soda.
- Mix all the ingredients and spray them on the plants.
- Rinse your plants afterwards.
It is also a good fungicide.
6. Sprinkle some baby powder in your garden
All you need to do is spray a bit of baby powder in your garden to ward off aphids. Aphids, like ants, hate this product. They will flee once they notice you’ve put some baby powder in your garden.
7. Use black soap as a natural repellent
Black soap can also be used as a natural repellent. All you need to do is water your plants often with a mixture of 5 tablespoons of liquid soap diluted in 1 liter of lukewarm water. You should get a dilution of around 5%. Do this treatment early in the day during dry weather. Avoid doing this under the sun or when it’s raining to chase away aphids. If you notice that the aphids are still on your plants’ stems and leaves, you can wipe them with a cloth that you have soaked in water and to which you have added black soap.
8. Use matches to chase away aphids
A simple way to chase away aphids is to plant matches in your garden or in your potted plants. Make sure to plant the head of the match in the earth. Aphids hate the odor of sulphur so matches will help get rid of them.
9. Ivy leaves: a practical trick
Why not use ivy leaves to ward off aphids from your magnificent garden? Do this by macerating the leaves in water for a few days and then spraying the ivy water solution on your plants.
10. Use olive oil
Oil olive is very practical, even outside the kitchen. If you mix it with water, it can help ward off aphids from your garden. Plus, this solution is a great way to add nourishment to your plants!
11. Use potato starch to ward off aphids
- Ward off aphids by mixing 30 g of potato starch with 1 liter of warm water.
- Once the potato starch is disolved, put 1 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid soap in your mixture.
- Pour your mixture in a spray bottle, shake it, and once a day, spray it on your plants.
12. Don’t throw away your old coffee anymore
Coffee grounds can not only help you create numerous beauty products but they can also help you ward off aphids from your garden. Simply put some at the base of your plants.
Sources:
- Astuces de Grand-Mère
- Tiphero
- Bold Sky
- DIY EVerywhere
- Reader’s Digest
- Garden Guides
- toutpratique.com
- comment-economiser.fr
