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Almost every plant has one or more aphid species that occasionally feed on it, but low to moderate numbers of aphids usually aren’t damaging to gardens or landscape trees. Although aphids can curl leaves and produce sticky honeydew, they rarely kill plants and you usually can wash them off with water. When aphid numbers get high, natural enemies frequently feed on them, eliminating the need for pesticides. When pesticides are necessary, use less toxic products such as insecticidal soaps and oils.
Aphids are common in your garden because:
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- Aphids like lush new growth. Don’t over fertilize. Use organic or slow-release products.
- Aphids build up on flowering plums, roses, tulip trees, crape myrtles, apples, and many vegetables. Expect aphids when you grow these plants.
- Ants protect aphids from beneficial insects. Keep ants off plants to help natural enemies do their job.
- Prune out infested leaves and stems.
- Knock aphid populations off plants by shaking the plant or spraying it with a strong stream of water.
- Protect seedlings with covers or aluminum soil mulches.
- Wait for hot weather; most aphids are heat-intolerant and will be gone by mid-June.
Protect aphids' natural enemies:
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- Lady beetles, both adults and larvae;
- Lacewings;
- Syrphid fly larvae;
- Soldier beetles; and
- Parasitic mini-wasps that turn aphids into crusty mummies.
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Beneficial insects such as lady beetles and lacewings will come into your garden naturally when aphids are abundant. Protect these good bugs by avoiding the use of insecticides that can be toxic to a broad variety of insects.
If insecticides seem necessary, use the safest products.
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- Use nonchemical pest control methods first to manage aphid populations. However, if you feel insecticides are necessary, choose less toxic products.
- Insecticidal oils and soaps are the safest products. When properly used, these materials solve most pest problems.
- Oils and soaps work by smothering aphids, so apply these products thoroughly. Don’t apply them to drought-stressed plants or when it is very hot. A few plants are sensitive to these products.
- Apply insecticidal soaps, soap-pyrethrum mixtures, or neem oils on vegetables or small bushes such as roses.
- Narrow range oils, such as parafinic, supreme, or superior oils, are appropriate for larger trees.
- Oils and soaps don’t kill aphids hidden within curled leaves. Prune these out. Systemic insecticides can kill hidden aphids, but they are much more toxic and not registered for use on garden vegetables or fruit trees.
Minimize the use of pesticides that pollute our waterways. Use nonchemical alternatives or less toxic pesticide products whenever possible. Read product labels carefully and follow instructions on proper use, storage, and disposal. |
