Every gardener has their own way of keeping the garden pest away from their vegetable plants. Some prefer the use of natural solutions, and others prefer the use of chemical pesticides. If you’re a seasoned gardener with a well-fortified garden, you might already know what insect killer to use, but if you’re just getting started, trust us when we say that it’s not as easy as it sounds.
What are Aphids?
Aphids are tiny and come in many colors; examples are black aphids, cabbage aphids, root aphids, and green peach aphids. An aphid population can be very troublesome to any gardener because they suck sap from plants causing many leaves to be yellow and dropping off the plant. These bugs are also known as plant lice, green flies, or whiteflies.
Their small size makes them hard to see with the naked eye, but even when spotted, they are very difficult to get rid of since aphid control is difficult, and they multiply quickly in your garden. The good news is that there are effective ways of controlling aphids: by using a good homemade aphid spray or a great aphid killer.
Why are Aphids a Problem?
Aphids are plant pest because they suck sap from plants causing the leaf to be yellow and drop off the plant. They feed on various plants, including flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables. For instance, you definitely want to keep aphids away from your pepper plants because they produce smaller yields when there’s a heavy aphid infestation on them.
Nonetheless, because aphids do not transmit diseases, they pose no threat to human health; however, their presence in your yard can make the infested plant less vibrant and appear unattractive.
Phosphorus is another reason why aphids may be a problem. Aphids are known to produce phosphorous, which can lead to the leaching of phosphate-rich fertilizer into groundwater, according to the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program.
They also excrete this phosphorus when they die, so it might also end up in your water supply. Many sap-feeding insects, such as aphids, and whiteflies, leave behind honeydew that develops sooty mold.
That’s why it is essential to use effective ways to deal with aphid infestation once and for all in your garden. Here’s our list of best aphid killers for your outdoor space:
The Best Aphid Killers
Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap is created from fatty acids and organic plant oils. To use this product, simply spray the insecticidal soap in your spray bottle on your host plant, then wait for it to dry. The aphid will die before the chemical can enter its body or be absorbed by the plant. It’ll also kill any other bugs like adult Japanese beetles, mealybugs, and spider mites.
This product comes in both liquid and bar form, so you can choose whichever you prefer based on how much pesticide you want per treatment. Insecticidal soap is effective and can prevent aphids and whiteflies but has lower toxicity than some other pesticides due to its natural composition.
Neem Oil
Another great aphid killer is neem oil. It has been used for centuries to control various natural enemies of plants, including insects, rodents, and weeds. Neem oil is derived from the seeds of the neem tree, which grows in India, Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia and has been used as a natural pest control agent in these regions since ancient times.
Neem oil is a good organic aphid control, and it kills insects by clogging their respiratory system and preventing them from being able to breathe properly.
Diatomaceous Earth
This natural powder is made from the hard skeletons of microscopic aquatic plants called diatoms. Diatomaceous earth has been used for centuries as an organic aphid control method because of how it cuts through the waxy outer layer of insects, dehydrating them. It punctures their cell walls causing them to bleed out and die.
It is also highly effective against crawling insects since it collects in their joints and becomes abrasive. Best of all, it is safe to use around children, pets, and vegetables as it is considered non-toxic by the EPA.
To apply diatomaceous earth to your host plant, you need to mix it with an organic liquid like water or oil before distributing it with a sprayer or sprinkler. For spraying, make sure to only use water (and not chemicals) for this application so that you do not harm your plant growth, beneficial insects, or yourself.
To apply diatomaceous earth directly onto plants, make sure to cover both the leaves and stems of your plant with the powder to prevent bugs from hiding away in crevices on the plant’s surface.
Pyrethrin
Pyrethrin is a natural insecticide that kills aphids and is good for organic gardening. It has an immediate, powerful effect and is easy to use. You can easily purchase a spray from your local hardware or gardening store.
Simply shake the bottle or use the sprayer to spray over and around your garden plant until the spray runs clear. This will kill the rest of the aphids that are hiding in your garden.
Since pyrethrin is a natural pesticide, you don’t need to worry about using it on pets or children, but you should still follow instructions when using it. The best part about this method is that it’s also very effective against other insects too, such as worms and slugs.
The only downside to this method is that you’ll need to reapply after rain showers since the water dilutes the pyrethrin concentration.
Horticultural Oil
Aphids are vulnerable to oils such as horticultural oil. This natural repellent is good for controlling aphids and can be used on all your plants, including flowers. It will not kill the aphids but stop them from reproducing. Do not use this product on anything edible due to its toxicity.
Don’t forget to regularly check your plants with a magnifying glass for any signs of aphids to detect their presence early and avoid unwanted infestation.
Ladybugs
Ladybugs are a type of beetle. They are a natural predator that feeds on aphids and other garden pests. There are many types of ladybugs, and you can find them in several colors, but all have distinctive spots. Many people consider the yellow spotted natural predator ones to be the most effective.
Ladybugs are considered one of the best natural enemies of aphids because when you release ladybugs into your garden, they will eat away the pests without harming your plant growth or flowers. Aside from reducing stress from pests like aphids, ladybugs also secrete an antifungal substance, increasing plant health.
You can also put rosemary oil into a spray bottle and spray it on the infested plant. For a homemade aphid spray, try out this simple spray recipe! Add 5 drops each of clove oil, peppermint oil, and rosemary oil to the affected plants. These essential oils are not just great for controlling aphids and indoor plants but are also not harmful, so all beneficial insects will not be harmed.
Best Insecticides to Kill Aphids
Garden Safe Brand Insecticidal Soap Insect Killer
The Garden Safe Brand Insecticidal Soap Insect Killer is suitable for organic farming and may be used up until the day of harvest.
Aphids, mealybugs, mites, leafhoppers, psyllids, scale insects, thrips, whiteflies, and other pests are all controlled by it and killed immediately upon contact.
Ortho MAX Malathion Insect Spray Concentrate
Insects such as aphids, whiteflies, mealybugs, mosquitoes, red spider mites, and scales can all be eliminated by using Ortho MAX Malathion Insect Spray Concentrate.
It can be applied to flowers, shrubs, trees, citrus, fruits, vegetables, roses, and ornamentals. It is solely suitable for outdoor household use.
How to Use These Aphid Killers
The best way to use these aphid killers is to provide an area where the pesticides can be applied. This can be done by spraying them on plants, grass, or other surfaces with a high aphid population.
For ladybugs, you simply place them in your vegetable garden and then release them to search for their prey.
Expert Advice On The Best Aphid Killer
Aphid killers that are pesticides are not toxic or harmful to people or pets, but they do have a downside. They can be expensive and take time to work. Depending on your type, you might need to spray your garden up to three times. And if you don’t keep applying it regularly, the pests will return stronger than ever.
The best way to avoid the hassles of using a pesticide is to identify the hiding spots of aphids before they invade your garden and then use a pest control solution that targets them specifically to prevent aphids from scattering your garden. We hope you enjoyed reading this article.
Conclusion
Aphids are a gardener’s worst nightmare. When they make their way into your garden, they can quickly overrun it and destroy your plants. The best aphid killer is hard to find. But with the right strategies and a little bit of hard work, you can protect your plants from aphids.
And once you have found the best aphid killer for your garden, you will want to make sure to keep it on hand for any other future outbreaks. Thankfully, our blog post has covered this for you. We hope you enjoyed our article about the best aphid killer for your garden.
Please share it with your friends on social media so that they can protect their gardens from aphids too!
