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. However, many home remedies and natural methods can control them.
Signs of Aphid Infestation
There may be aphids on your plants if you notice:
- Curled leaves.
- Sticky honeydew.
- Ants crawling on plants.
- Yellowing leaves.
- 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 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 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.
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. Use pure liquid Castile soap or a mild soap without bleach or degreasers.
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. Tomato Leaf Spray
Tomato leaves contain natural compounds known as alkaloids. These alkaloids may help repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects from your plants.
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. This homemade aphid spray may help naturally discourage aphids, and it’s inexpensive and easy to make.
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, get some mineral oil, fresh garlic, a 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 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.
Avoid spraying during hot, sunny conditions to prevent leaf damage.
6. Vinegar Solution
Vinegar is sometimes used in homemade garden sprays to help discourage plant lice and other 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.
However, be careful not to overuse vinegar sprays, as they may burn plant foliage.
7. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Another excellent home remedy to kill greenflies is food-grade 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.
Diatomaceous earth works best when dry, as it damages insects’ exoskeletons and causes them to dehydrate.
Reapply once there is a heavy rainstorm. Also, be sure to use food-grade DE rather than pool-grade products.
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?”
While baking soda is mainly used to help control fungal diseases, some gardeners combine it with soap and oil in homemade garden sprays in attempts to discourage aphids.
Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 teaspoon of mild liquid 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 chickadees, chipping sparrows, wrens, 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.
Some gardeners also use reflective mulch materials to help conserve 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. This method works best for small infestations.
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.
Some aphid species lay eggs, especially before winter. Removing these eggs may help reduce future infestations.
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 aphids (greenflies).
Blend one onion in a cup of water. Next, strain the solution and spray it onto the affected plants.
The strong smell of onions may help deter these pests.
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 dust plants lightly with wood ash to discourage pests, although results vary.
Sprinkle a little on the affected plants to see if it works. However, avoid excessive use, as wood ash can raise soil pH.
20. Milk Spray
Milk sprays are more commonly used to help control fungal diseases, although some gardeners also use them in homemade pest-control routines.
For a basic recipe, combine 1/2 gallon of milk with 1/2 gallon of water. Shake it up and use it to spray your plants.
21. Safe Commercial Pesticides
Perhaps the easiest and quickest way to eliminate an aphid colony is to invest in organic-friendly pesticides, such as these:
These insecticides are commonly used in organic gardening to control aphids and other plant pests. Some of these products are also OMRI-listed for organic use.
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.
- Introduce beneficial insects early in the season.
- Avoid overfertilizing with nitrogen, which encourages tender new growth that attracts aphids [3].
FAQ
What kills aphids instantly naturally?
One of the fastest ways to get rid of aphids is to spray them off plants with a strong stream of water and then follow up with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
Do aphids come back every year?
Yes, aphids can return each season, especially in warm weather. Prevention is key.
Can dish soap kill aphids?
Yes, some mild dish soaps can kill aphids when diluted properly, but certain soaps may damage plants.
Are aphids harmful to all plants?
Most plants can tolerate small numbers, but large infestations can weaken or kill plants over time.
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.
However, 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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