The best home remedies against aphids
Environmentally friendly home remedies against aphids
Aphids are plant lice that have existed on Earth for millions of years. A large number of aphid species occur in Europe and damage plants. The main damage occurs when aphids suck sap from stems and leaves and thereby transmit fungal diseases and viruses. But which home remedies help against aphids?
How can you recognize an aphid infestation on your plant?
• a large number of aphids on the undersides of leaves and shoots,
• stunted growth,
• curled leaves,
• discolored leaves,
• dried leaves,
• falling leaves.
Are your plants populated by aphids and do you intend to get the aphid infestation under control with natural remedies? In that case we show you the best home remedies against aphids.
Home remedies against aphid pests
Aphids should be combated as quickly as possible before the damage reaches significant proportions. There is no need for heavy-duty chemicals. Several home remedies are effective at ending an aphid infestation. These include:
• garlic,
• oregano,
• a mixture of milk and water,
• potash soap solution,
• onion infusion,
• nettle infusion,
• a mixture of rapeseed oil, water and dish soap,
• black tea,
• potato water,
• dish soap,
• vinegar mixture.
Home remedy against aphids No. 1: garlic
You can use garlic against aphids in several ways. For a light infestation a single garlic clove is sufficient. Peel it and push it halfway into the soil near the plant stem. Aphids cannot tolerate the smell of garlic and will disappear. For a larger infestation, spray the plant with a garlic infusion.
Preparing and using the garlic infusion
For the infusion put three peeled and chopped cloves of garlic into a sealable container. Fill the container with one liter of water. Close it and let the garlic infusion steep for two weeks. Now spray the infusion generously onto the plant with a spray bottle, paying particular attention to the base of the stems and the undersides of the leaves.
Home remedy against aphids No. 2: oregano
An oregano infusion is also effective against aphids. For the infusion you need ten grams of dried oregano and pour one liter of boiling water over the herb. After it has cooled, strain the infusion and dilute it with three times the amount of water. Spray this mixture generously onto your plant.
Home Remedy Against Aphids No. 3: A Mixture of Milk and Water
Mix one part milk with two parts water and spray it onto your plant. The lactic acid in the mixture attacks the bodies of aphids and kills the pests.
Home Remedy Against Aphids No. 4: Soft Soap
Soft soap, which you can obtain, for example, at www.naturhaus.com, can also be effective against aphids. Caution: Do not use soft soap on sensitive plants with fine foliage, as there is a risk of damage. Ideally, test the mixture beforehand by spraying the plant at a small spot to check its tolerance to the soap.
Mixing Ratio for Soft Soap and Application
Dissolve one tablespoon of soft soap in one liter of warm water. Put the soap solution into a spray bottle. Let the solution cool before spraying your plants.
Home Remedy Against Aphids No. 5: Onion Decoction
If you have roses infested with aphids, the most effective remedy to end the infestation is the onion decoction. Spray the broth widely and generously onto the plant, making sure to wet the aphids‘ hiding places.
Preparing and Using the Onion Decoction
Dice a common onion and put it into one liter of water. Bring it to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to the lowest setting and let the decoction simmer for about 30 minutes. This releases the valuable compounds from the onions. After cooling, remove the onion pieces and use the decoction undiluted.
Home Remedy Against Aphids No. 6: Stinging Nettle Decoction
Amateur gardeners often dislike stinging nettles in their garden and treat them as weeds. Aside from that, they can be used in many ways. Stinging nettles help with several plant problems. For example, a stinging nettle decoction made from the leaves and shoots is effective against aphids and other plant pests. This is due to the volatile compounds that aphids dislike.
Preparing and Using the Stinging Nettle Decoction
Fill a bucket with stinging nettle leaves and cover them with fresh water. Let the decoction steep for two days in a place out of direct sunlight and not subject to strong temperature fluctuations. Cover the bucket with a net to prevent contamination. After steeping, separate the liquid from the leaves and spray it onto the plant undiluted.
Hausmittel gegen Blattläuse Nr. 7: Schwarzer Tee gegen Blattläuse
Black tea contains tannins that kill aphids. For this, put two tea bags into half a liter of boiling water. Let it steep for a quarter of an hour. After it has cooled, spray your plant. Black tea itself does not harm the plant. This also applies to sensitive specimens.
Hausmittel gegen Blattläuse Nr. 8: Mit einem Gemisch aus Rapsöl, Wasser und Spülmittel vorgehen
Rapeseed oil works against aphids in the following way: it causes the pests to slip off. Ideally, you apply the plant oil together with water and dish soap as a rapeseed oil mixture.
Caution: Not every plant tolerates rapeseed oil; you must be careful, especially with sensitive specimens. For this reason, wet a small test area of the plant with the mixture first.
Ein Gemisch aus Rapsöl, Wasser und Spülmittel herstellen und anwenden
Add 100 milliliters of rapeseed oil to five liters of cooled tap water. Also add a small amount of dish soap so the ingredients distribute better. The mixture can be applied with a plant sprayer. Repeat the treatment after one week if you still see aphids on the plant.
Hausmittel gegen Blattläuse Nr. 9: Spülmittel und Wasser
Using dish soap against aphids is an effective tactic against the pests. The agent causes the aphids to slide off the plants.
Gemisch aus Spülmittel und Wasser herstellen und anwenden
Mix five milliliters of dish soap with half a liter of cold water and stir the mixture vigorously. Lightly apply the solution to your plant with a spray bottle and, if necessary, repeat the application after a few days.
Hausmittel gegen Blattläuse Nr. 10: Mit Kartoffelwasser bekämpfen
Aphids can be effectively combated with the cooking water produced when boiling potatoes (potato water). This is particularly true when the infestation is limited. Spray your plants thoroughly with potato water. If necessary, repeat the application after a few days.
Hausmittel gegen Blattläuse Nr. 11: Mit einer Essigmischung
If your roses have aphids, vinegar helps. Not undiluted vinegar, but diluted. Undiluted vinegar is too harsh for roses.
Preparing and applying a vinegar mixture against aphids
Mix spirit vinegar and water in a 1:9 ratio. That is, add half a liter of vinegar to four and a half liters of water. Add a small amount of dish soap to increase the effectiveness of the solution against aphids. For young shoots use half the stated amount of vinegar to avoid damaging them. If infestation is severe, reapply the vinegar mixture after three days.
