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.
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.
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 2 to 5 tablespoons of pure liquid Castile soap or mild liquid soap with 1 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. Some gardeners find that this spray helps discourage aphids, although scientific evidence is limited.
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-infused oil into the 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. Rubbing Alcohol Spray
Rubbing alcohol can kill aphids on contact by damaging their outer covering. Use this remedy only on small infestations.
Mix 1 part of 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol with 7 to 10 parts water. Spray the aphids lightly, avoiding flowers and tender new growth.
Always test the spray on a few leaves first and wait 24 hours before treating the whole plant. Do not spray this aphid treatment during hot, sunny weather.
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 remedy for controlling many garden pests organically, but you should purchase a safe brand for your organic garden.
Lightly dust the leaves of the affected plants. Some gardeners also mix food-grade diatomaceous earth with water and spray it onto plants. The powder becomes active after the water dries.
This natural aphid killer works best when dry, as it damages insects’ exoskeletons and causes them to dehydrate.
Reapply after 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. When they do, remove the heavily infested trap plants before the aphids spread to nearby crops.
10. Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay is a natural mineral that forms a protective coating on plants. It makes it harder for aphids and other insects to feed on leaves.
Mix the kaolin clay according to the product label and spray it over the leaves until they are lightly coated.
Reapply after heavy rain if needed.
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, chipping sparrows, and wrens help feed on aphids and other garden pests.
12. Aluminum Foil
Place aluminum foil on the ground underneath your plants. This will reflect light onto the undersides of the leaves, deterring aphids.
Aphids dislike the bright reflected light because it makes it harder for them to locate host plants.
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
Another organic aphid control method is to use repellent plants.
Marigolds, garlic, catnip, rosemary, and chives 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 before winter, while many reproduce by giving birth to live young during the growing season. If you find overwintering eggs, removing them 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 may help discourage aphids (greenflies) because of its strong smell.
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. Yellow Sticky Traps
Yellow sticky traps help catch winged aphids before they can settle on your plants and start new colonies.
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. Citrus Peel Spray
Citrus peels contain natural compounds that may help discourage aphids and other soft-bodied insects.
Place the peels from one lemon or orange into 2 cups of hot water and let them steep overnight. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle and lightly spray the affected plants.
Test the spray on a small part of the plant first to make sure it does not damage the leaves.
21. Organic Commercial Pesticides
Perhaps the easiest and quickest way to eliminate an aphid colony is to invest in organic-friendly pesticides.
Look for products containing azadirachtin (from neem), Beauveria bassiana, or insecticidal soap, which are commonly used to control aphids.
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?
A strong stream of water is often the quickest natural way to knock aphids off plants. Follow up with insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.
Do aphids come back every year?
Yes. Aphids often return every year because they overwinter as eggs or survive in warm climates year-round. Regular monitoring helps keep them under control.
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?
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.
Most natural aphid treatments work best when applied every few days until the infestation is under control. Reapply sprays after heavy rain if needed.
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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