Sasha CampbellAphids (sometimes called greenfly or blackfly) feed on plant sap. Many aphids also produce a sticky substance called honeydew, which attracts ants and can lead to sooty mold growth [1].
They are among the most common plant pests and can damage a wide range of plants. Fortunately, many natural remedies and organic methods can help control aphids without relying on harsh chemical pesticides.
Do You Need to Treat Aphids?
A few aphids are not always a reason to treat your plants. Healthy, established plants can often handle small numbers.
Ladybugs, lacewings, hoverfly larvae, and parasitic wasps may naturally reduce aphid populations.
Treatment is more useful when aphid numbers are growing quickly, leaves are curling or yellowing, young plants are being damaged, or aphids are spreading plant disease.
Signs of Aphid Infestation
There may be aphids on your plants if you notice:
- Curled leaves.
- Sticky honeydew.
- Ants crawling on plants.
- Yellowing leaves.
- Stunted or distorted new growth.
- Black sooty mold growing on sticky honeydew.
- Clusters of tiny, pear-shaped insects on stems or leaf undersides.
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 a popular natural remedy for controlling aphids. It also works well against other insect pests in your garden.
Combine 1 tablespoon of neem oil with 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap and 1 gallon of water. Shake well and spray the affected plants, especially the undersides of leaves.
Avoid spraying open flowers or applying neem oil when bees are actively visiting the plants.
2. Essential Oils
Some essential oils may help repel aphids from your garden. Peppermint, basil, fennel, and rosemary oils are commonly used for this purpose [2].
Mix 10 drops of essential oil with one quart of water and a teaspoon of liquid soap before spraying affected plants. Always test the spray on a small section of the plant first to avoid leaf burn.
While some gardeners report success, research on essential oils for aphid control is still limited.
3. Soapy Water
Use a mixture of liquid soap and water to make a mild aphid spray suitable for your vegetable garden.
Mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of pure liquid Castile soap with 1 gallon of water. Spray the aphids directly, including those hiding under leaves. Test the mixture on a small part of the plant first and wait 24 hours to check for damage.
Alternatively, purchase a ready-to-use insecticidal soap spray.
Use this homemade soap spray on aphids found on indoor or outdoor plants. However, soap sprays can also harm beneficial insects they directly contact, so avoid spraying helpful bugs.
4. Tomato Leaf Spray
Tomato leaves contain natural plant compounds. Homemade tomato leaf sprays are sometimes used to discourage aphids, but there is limited research showing how well they work.
To make a homemade aphid spray, chop 1 to 2 cups of fresh tomato leaves and soak them overnight in 2 cups of water.
The next day, strain the liquid and pour it into a spray bottle. You can also add a few drops of mild liquid soap to help the spray stick to the leaves.
Spray the solution onto affected plants. Keep the spray away from pets and avoid ingesting it.
5. Garlic Spray
Garlic is also a popular natural repellent for aphids and other insect pests. Therefore, use it to make a DIY spray that will keep these critters away.
For the recipe, gather mineral oil, fresh garlic, 1 teaspoon of mild liquid 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-infused oil into the water. Now, add the liquid soap.
Finally, shake well and spray this garlic repellent all over your plants. This spray may also help discourage aphids on houseplants and outdoor plants.
Avoid spraying during hot, sunny conditions to prevent leaf damage.
6. Rubbing Alcohol
For a small aphid infestation, dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and touch the aphids directly. Avoid tender new growth and flowers.
This method is especially useful on houseplants.
Alcohol can damage some plants, so test it on one leaf first. Avoid soaking the foliage.
7. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Food-grade diatomaceous earth can help control aphids and many other soft-bodied insects. It damages their outer covering, causing them to dry out and die.
DE also works on many other garden pests. It is a popular organic remedy for controlling many garden pests, but you should buy a safe brand for your organic garden.
Lightly dust affected areas with food-grade diatomaceous earth. It works best when dry, so you may need to reapply it after rain.
This natural aphid killer works best when dry, as it damages insects’ exoskeletons and causes them to dehydrate.
Reapply after a heavy rainstorm. Also, use food-grade DE rather than pool-grade products.
Avoid applying DE to flowers where bees and other pollinators are active. The dust can also harm beneficial insects that come into contact with it.
8. Hose Them
This method is another effective home remedy for getting rid of aphids on plants.
Spray sturdy plants with a strong stream of water to knock aphids off the leaves and stems. Pay special attention to the undersides of leaves, where aphids often gather.
Repeat every few days if needed. Avoid using a hard spray on seedlings or other delicate plants.
9. Trap Crops
Trap crops may help draw aphids away from plants you want to protect.
Nasturtiums are sometimes grown as trap plants for certain aphids. However, results can vary because different aphid species prefer different plants.
Check trap plants regularly. If they become heavily infested, remove or treat them before aphids spread to nearby crops.
10. Row Covers
Lightweight row covers can help keep aphids away from young plants.
Place the cover over seedlings or newly planted vegetables before aphids arrive. Secure the edges so the pests cannot crawl or fly underneath.
Row covers also protect plants from several other insect pests. Make sure plants are free of aphids before covering them.
Remove the covers when plants begin flowering if they need insects for pollination.
11. Encourage Birds to Come Around
Provide bird feeders, fresh water, and shrubs for shelter to attract insect-eating birds to your garden.
Birds such as chickadees and wrens may eat aphids and other small garden insects.
12. Reflective Mulch
Silver reflective mulch or aluminum foil placed around young plants may help keep winged aphids away. The reflected light makes it harder for them to locate and settle on host plants.
This method works best while plants are young. Once the leaves cover most of the reflective surface, it becomes less effective.
13. Repellent Plants
Another organic aphid control method is to use repellent plants.
Strong-smelling plants such as garlic, chives, rosemary, and some herbs are sometimes grown near crops to help discourage aphids.
However, companion planting works best as part of a larger pest-control plan, not as the only treatment.
14. Pick Them Off
Pick aphids off your plants and drop them into a container of soapy water. This method works best for small infestations.
15. Remove Overwintering Eggs
Some aphid species survive winter as eggs on woody plants. If you find these eggs while inspecting dormant plants, removing them may reduce the number of aphids that appear in spring.
However, many aphids give birth to live young during the growing season, so you may never see aphid eggs.
16. Control Ants Around Aphid Colonies
If ants are constantly visiting aphid colonies, controlling the ants may allow ladybugs, lacewings, and other natural enemies to reach the aphids more easily.
17. Horticultural Oil
Horticultural oil can help control aphids by coating the insects when sprayed directly on them.
Spray the affected parts of the plant, including the undersides of leaves where aphids often gather. Follow the product label carefully because application rates vary.
Avoid applying horticultural oil during very hot weather or to plants listed as sensitive on the product label.
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 lacewing larvae, hoverfly larvae, damsel bugs, soldier beetles, and parasitic wasps.
Grow small flowers nearby to provide nectar and pollen for some of these helpful insects.
19. Yellow Sticky Traps for Monitoring
Yellow sticky traps help catch winged aphids before they can settle on your plants and start new colonies.
These traps will not remove established aphid colonies, but they can alert you when winged aphids are moving into the area.
Place the traps near affected plants or around your garden. Check them often and replace them when they become full of insects or lose their stickiness.
Sticky traps work best as part of a larger aphid control plan.
20. Prune Infested Leaves and Shoots
If aphids are crowded onto only a few leaves or shoots, prune those parts from the plant.
Place the infested plant material in a bag or dispose of it away from the garden. This can quickly reduce the number of aphids on the plant.
This method works best when the infestation is small and limited to certain parts of the plant. Do not remove too much healthy growth at one time.
21. Organic-Approved Aphid Products
Commercial products approved for organic gardening can also help control serious aphid infestations.
Some commercial pest-control products contain ingredients such as azadirachtin, Beauveria bassiana, neem oil, or insecticidal soap. Some products are OMRI-listed for organic production.
Always check the label before buying or applying a product.
Tips to Prevent Aphids
Prevention is just as important as treatment.
- Check plants regularly, especially new growth.
- Practice companion planting.
- Keep plants healthy and well-watered.
- Encourage beneficial insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies.
- Avoid overfertilizing with nitrogen, which encourages tender new growth that attracts aphids [3].
- Check the undersides of leaves and tender new growth at least once or twice a week.
FAQ
What kills aphids instantly naturally?
Insecticidal soap can kill aphids on contact when the spray completely covers them.
For a small infestation, you can also squish or wipe them off by hand. A strong stream of water is another fast option for knocking aphids from sturdy plants.
Do aphids come back every year?
Aphids can return each year. Some species survive winter as eggs, while others may remain active year-round in warm climates or protected areas.
Can dish soap kill aphids?
Pure liquid Castile soap or insecticidal soap is safer than many household dish detergents, which may damage plant leaves.
Are aphids harmful to all plants?
No. Small numbers of aphids usually cause little harm to healthy, established plants.
Large colonies can cause curled or yellow leaves, weak growth, and other damage. Some aphids can also spread plant viruses.
Takeaway
The home remedies and organic treatments listed above can help keep aphids under control. Many of these remedies may also help repel or control other garden pests, keeping your garden safe.
Some aphid sprays may need to be reapplied until the infestation is under control. Follow product label directions when using commercial treatments.
Always test homemade sprays on a small part of the plant first and avoid spraying during intense sunlight or high heat.
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