How to get rid of aphids from plants

Find out how to eliminate aphids from plants once and for all. We’re going to teach you how to get rid of these pests using effective homemade remedies.

During this season, particularly with the warmer temperatures, more hours of sunlight and the type of products we use on our plants directly affect the possibilities of pests and insects infesting our plants. Aphids, those white, black or green bugs, reproduce in large numbers with the warmer temperatures of spring and summer. Fertilisers, with all the nutrients that our plants need to grow also attract them.

How to prevent aphids from appearing on your plants

Check: have a good look at your plants every day to detect the problem early and act accordingly. 

Place other “repellent” plants next to your plants: aromatic plants such as basil, mint and coriander, among others, are natural insect repellents. Keep these plants in your home and garden for prevention. 

Identify the first signs of danger: check the soil, stalks and leaves well to see if there are any black ants. If there are, aphids are likely to be on your plants.

Find out about your plants: know what your plants are, how to look after them, the nutrients and fertiliser they need, and any useful tips to keep them healthy and prevent any attacks by pests.

Find out about aphid predators: some species such as ladybirds are very effective in keeping aphids away. Knowing about aphids’ worst enemies will help you protect your plants. 

Homemade remedies to combat aphids on your plants

If you would rather try some household remedies with products from around the house instead of using insecticides, you could try the following. To ensure your plants remain healthy, we recommend applying these remedies for no more than 5 or 6 days. This should always be done at dawn or dusk to avoid hours of strongest sunlight and possibly burning the leaves.

Soap and water

• First spray a jet of water on the plant to wash off the insects, and then gently apply soapy water to each leaf using a sponge, paying special attention to the undersides of the leaves. Repeat the process again the next day. It is a laborious process, but very effective.

Garlic

• Garlic has bactericide properties and it is therefore useful to combat insects on plants. Heat some garlic cloves in water and allow it to stand for 24 hours. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray it on the plant. Do this for 4 or 5 days and then wait several days to see the result.

Vinegar

• We recommend using wine vinegar since it is less acidic, but cider vinegar can also be used. Whichever variety of vinegar you use, it needs to be diluted in water to avoid damaging the plant. Add one soupspoon of vinegar to one litre of water. Then spray it on the plant, paying special attention to the damaged parts.

Tobacco

• Nicotine can also be very effective to combat aphids. Take a couple of handfuls of loose tobacco and put it in one litre of water. Bring it to the boil and then let it stand for a couple of days. Apply the liquid to the plant to clean it for 5 or 6 days and manually wipe off the insects until they disappear.