Sasha CampbellThe aphid (greenfly or blackfly) feeds on plant sap. Many aphids also produce honeydew, which attracts ants and other insects [1].
They are among the most common plant pests and can damage a wide range of plants. However, many home remedies and natural methods can control them.
How to Get Rid of Aphids Naturally
Below are some of the most widely used natural remedies for this purpose.
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil is an excellent natural remedy for killing aphids. It also works well against other insect pests in your garden.
Combine 1 tablespoon of neem oil suitable for garden use, 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water. Finally, pour this homemade greenfly spray into a bottle and spray your plants.
2. Essential Oils
Some essential oils can keep aphids out of your garden. Anise, basil, fennel, peppermint, and pennyroyal essential oils all work against these pests [2].
Therefore, mix 2 ounces of essential oil with a gallon of water. This remedy makes a fantastic spray for organically controlling aphids.
It will kill the eggs and these small green flying bugs.
3. Soapy Water
Use a mixture of liquid soap and water to make a mild aphid spray suitable for your vegetable garden.
Mix five tablespoons of liquid soap with a gallon of water, shake well, and spray the affected plants. Alternatively, purchase a ready-to-use insecticidal soap spray.
Use this DIY insecticidal soap for aphids on indoor and outdoor plants. However, it can also kill beneficial bugs, so be careful not to spray them too.
4. Epsom Salt
You can also make a homemade aphid spray using Epsom salt. For this treatment, you need 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt, 2 teaspoons of liquid soap, and 1 gallon of water.
Next, mix the ingredients and pour the solution into a spray container. Finally, shake it well and use it to coat your plants.
This spray will repel aphids and other destructive insects. Read more about using Epsom salt on plants.
5. Garlic Spray
Garlic is also an excellent natural repellent for green flies and other insect pests. Therefore, use it to make a DIY spray that will keep these critters away.
For the recipe, get some mineral oil, fresh garlic, a teaspoon of liquid dish soap, and 2 cups of water.
Chop up four garlic cloves and let them sit overnight in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil. Next, strain the garlic oil into the 2 cups of water. Now, add the liquid soap.
Finally, shake well and spray this garlic repellent all over your plants. This spray is also suitable for getting rid of aphids on houseplants and outdoor plants.
6. Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is commonly used to kill plant lice and deter other garden pests.
To make a natural aphid spray, combine 1 tablespoon of liquid soap, 4 tablespoons of white vinegar, and 1 gallon of water.
Finally, add the solution to a spray bottle and coat the affected plants.
7. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Another excellent home remedy to kill greenflies is diatomaceous earth. It will dehydrate them to death.
DE also works on many other garden pests. It is a go-to remedy for getting rid of nasty plant bugs organically, but you should purchase a safe brand for your organic garden.
Lightly dust the leaves of the affected plants. Alternatively, make an aphid-killing spray by combining 5 tablespoons of diatomaceous earth with 1 gallon of water.
Use the solution to spray the affected plants (aphids and all), but ensure it is not heavily dripping. The solution will kill the pests when it dries.
Reapply once there is a heavy rainstorm.
8. Hose Them
This method is another effective home remedy for getting rid of aphids on plants. Use the garden hose to spray the affected plants.
The strong gush of water will knock the pests off.
9. Trap Crops
This is a clever pest-control method for getting rid of aphids on roses, tomato plants, dahlias, and other plants they love.
Nasturtiums, nettles, and calendula are excellent trap crops for this purpose. Aphids will swarm these sacrificial plants and, when they do, pull the plants up and discard them.
10. Baking Soda
One common question the gardening community asks is, “Will baking soda kill aphids?” The answer is yes.
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of dish soap, and 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil with 1 gallon of water.
Transfer the solution to a spray bottle. Shake well, then spray the aphids you see on your plants.
11. Encourage Birds to Come Around
Putting out bird feeders will help attract birds that feed on harmful insects and related pests in your garden.
Birds, like hummingbirds, chipping sparrows, and other backyard birds, eat aphids.
12. Aluminum Foil
Place aluminum foil on the ground underneath your plants. This will reflect light onto the undersides of the leaves, deterring aphids.
It will also help retain soil moisture. However, remember to pick up the foil after the gardening season to protect the environment.
13. Repellent Plants
Marigolds, garlic, catnip, rosemary, chives, and rye are some plants that repel aphids. Plant these in or around your garden to help keep these insects away.
14. Pick them Off
Another excellent aphid control remedy is to pick them off your plants and then drop them into a container with soap and water.
The soapy water will suffocate them.
15. Squish the Eggs
Another natural way to kill aphids on tomatoes and other plants is to remove the eggs from the leaves and squish them. Destroying aphid eggs will disrupt their life cycle.
While the eggs are not an immediate threat, the new aphids will start feeding on your plants as soon as they hatch.
16. Get Rid of Ants
Some ants protect aphids. Therefore, you should focus on getting rid of ants if you see many in your garden.
17. Onion Spray
Use an onion to make a homemade spray that repels green flies. Blend one onion in a cup of water. Next, strain the solution and spray it onto the affected plants.
Greenflies hate the smell of onions.
18. Beneficial Insects
Some insects feed on other insects. However, it is essential to distinguish beneficial insects from pests that can damage plants.
Aphid predators include ladybugs, green lacewings, damsel bugs, soldier beetles, and parasitic wasps.
19. Wood Ash
Some gardeners have successfully used wood ash to suffocate aphids and other pests on their plants. Therefore, sprinkle a little on the affected plants to see if it works.
20. Milk Spray
Milk spray is another homemade solution for killing aphids. For the recipe, combine 1/2 gallon of milk with 1/2 gallon of water.
Shake it up and use it to spray your plants. This is a safe way to kill aphids and help eliminate fungal issues.
21. Safe Commercial Pesticides
Perhaps the easiest and quickest way to eliminate an aphid colony is to invest in safe and natural pesticides, such as these:
These insecticides kill aphids and other plant pests naturally. Moreover, the products are OMRI-listed, meaning they are safe for organic gardening.
Takeaway
The home remedies and organic treatments listed above can help get rid of aphids. They can also repel or control other pests, keeping your garden safe.
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