When we do container gardening, our plants are always at risk of pest attacks. Sometimes, tiny black insects appear on the leaves, and at first view, it’s difficult to identify whether they are insects, dust, or just black spots.
One such insect is aphids—small, black, soft-bodied insects that silently attack our plants. They live in swarms (groups) and hide behind leaves, stems, and soft plant grwoth. The biggest problem is that they lay many eggs at once and spread rapidly from one plant to other.
If aphids are not controlled promptly, they gradually weaken the entire plant and can ruin your whole garden. That’s why it’s important to regularly check your plants—whether they’re in pots or grow bags; aphids can attack any plant, anywhere.
So, in this article, I’ll show guide you step by step how to control and eliminate aphids organically.
How to Remove Aphids From the Plant
Before we begin the step-by-step process, here’s a complete guide video – I have created on how to get rid of aphids from plants naturally:
What are Aphids?
Aphids are black, brown and white coloured small pests found in the leaves, stems and flowers of the plant. They attack all types of plants such as flowering, vegetable , indoor and outdoor plants.
Where they hide: These insects are usually not visible from above, because they mostly remain hidden on the back of the plant’s leaves.
What they do: These insects suck the plant’s sap and absorb the essential nutrients in the leaves and flowers.
Result: As a result, the plant gradually weakens, and if not controlled in time, it may even wilt or die completely.
How to get rid of aphids from plants
Aphids are very stubborn pests and once they attack, they often come back again and again. That’s why it’s important to follow the right method to remove them, otherwise they can easily damage the whole plant. These insects harm the plant but don’t affect humans in any way so you can use your hands while treating them. In this post, we’ll look at the correct and effective method to remove aphids from your plants.
Here are the natural way to remove aphids from plants:
1. Identify and cut the affected parts
When you see aphids on your plant, the first step is to isolate the affected plant from the rest.
- Immediately cut off the affected parts with pruners and throw them in the dustbin.
2. Examine the plant’s condition
After isolating it, examine the plant’s condition as it’s important to remove all affected parts, as aphids swarm throughout the plant.
- You can find them on the underside of leaves, branches, or flowers.
3. Cover the pot and soil with plastic
After thoroughly inspecting the plant, cover the pot and the soil tightly with plastic. This is very important; don’t skip this step.
- When pesticides are sprayed on the plant, insects may fall into the pot (onto the soil). They can attack the plant again. Therefore, to completely get rid of them, it is important to cover your pot with plastic.
- For treatment, tilt the branches of the plant (from the pot) outwards. Make sure you place a bucket under the branch (on which you are treating) so that the insects do not fall into the pot or onto the ground.
- These insects should fall into the bucket only. Our ultimate goal is to protect the soil from these insects.
4. Wash the infected leaves from the water
Next, remove these insects from all the leaves and rinse them with water. Thoroughly clean the undersides of the leaves.
- You can use a spray bottle or any other watering can for spraying.
5. Prepare organic pesticide
For effective treatment, prepare an organic home made solution.
- Take 8-10 cloves of garlic and grind them to make a paste.
- Add 1 glass of water to this paste, boil it for 5 minutes and sieve it.
- Take one ½ litre bottle and fill it with this solution.
- Add 1 tbsp neem oil (water soluable), ½ tbsp hand wash (soap) and normal water to the garlic .
- Your spray is ready.
Note:
- Aphids run away from the garlic and that is why it is used in this solution.
- Neem oil is an organic pesticide, it also helps a lot to get rid of pests.
- Soaps can vanish any virus. It can help in removing insects from the plants also.
6. Spray solution on every part of the plant
Spray this organic solution on every part of the plant—twigs, leaves, flowers, and everywhere.
Note:
- Please do this process in the evening only because during the day the plants do photosynthesis and if the leaves get coated with this solution then photosynthesis will not take place.
- During the evening, plants do rest and respiration. If we do spray at that time, it would not affect the growth of the plant.
7. Rinse Plant with water again
Next day in the morning, cover your pot and soil with plastic properly.
- Now, again wash the entire plant with water properly. At that time, you will observe that 80% of aphids are gone and only 20% are left.
8. Repeat the step in the evening
- After that at evening time, repeat step 6 for 2-3 days continuously and during morning repeat step 7. If you continue this for 2-3 days regularly, all the aphids will disappear from the plant.
9. Monitor and Maintain
Keep on checking this plant, if you see the pests again then repeat the whole process again and keep your plant healthy.
By following these methods, you can remove aphids from plants easily and keep them healthy.
FAQs on How to Remove Aphids From the Plant
Qs. 1. What are aphids?
Ans: Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that typically appear in varying colors, such as black, brown, and white. They hide on leaves, stems, and tender plant growth.
Qs 2. Are aphids harmful for our plants?
Ans: Yes. Aphids are very harmful to our plants. If not controlled in time, they weaken and destroy plants by sucking nutrients from their leaves and stems.
Qs 3. Does neem oil water solution is effective for treatment aphids?
Ans: Yes! Neem oil solution is an organic and effective treatment for controlling aphids. Please follow the steps in the article to remove aphids from your plants.
Qs 4. Do aphids attack certain plants only?
Ans: No. Aphids can be found on all types of plants, including flowering plants, vegetables (leafy and fruit), indoor plants, and outdoor plants.
Qs 5. Can aphids again come back after treatment?
Ans: Yes. Aphids are pests that don’t go away easily. They keep coming back and attacking our plants. They spread very quickly, so it’s crucial to control and remove them promptly.
Follow our Social media channel:
2. Voice of Plant Facebook Page
3. Instagram Voice of Plant Channel
Happy Gardening!
Make Your Own Garden!
