How to eradicate aphids
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A</span>phids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on sap and leave a sticky deposit as they suck the juice from leaves and stems.</p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">They love nasturtiums but attack everything from herbs and vegies to vines, shrubs and trees, including roses, camellias, stone fruit and citrus.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">Aphids can be green, yellow, pink, brown, grey, black or woolly, and are only 2mm to 4mm long.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">These tiny insects are usually found clustering in large numbers on stems, flower buds and leaves, causing curled or distorted growth.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">Populations start building up in mid and late spring, developing from small colonies into heavy infestations in a matter of days.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">They don’t just destroy new growth but also spread disease, transmitting broad bean wilt, cucumber mosaic and other viruses.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><span class="s1">Aphids also secrete a sugar-rich substance called honeydew that attracts and feeds a type of fungus called sooty mould.</span></p>
<p class="p3"><strong><span class="s1">Methods of control</span></strong></p>
<p class="p2"><span class="s1">Aphids multiply rapidly, so a control program is very important.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><strong><span class="s2">PICK</span></strong><span class="s1"><strong><span> </span></strong>aphids off by hand and squash them, making sure to wear gloves.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><strong><span class="s2">BLAST</span></strong><span class="s1"><span> </span>aphids from plants by hosing regularly with a strong jet of water.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><strong><span class="s2">WIPE</span></strong><span class="s1"><strong><span> </span></strong>off indoor plants with a cotton ball dipped in methylated spirits.<span> </span></span><span class="s2">SPRAY</span><span class="s1"><span> </span>plants with insecticide, using low-toxicity formulas to protect edibles, pets and beneficial insects.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><strong><span class="s2">ATTRACT</span></strong><span class="s1"><span> </span>natural predators like ladybirds into the garden by planting achillea or Queen Anne’s lace.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><strong><span class="s2">PRUNE</span></strong><span class="s1"><span> </span>and bin heavily infested stems and shoots to stimulate new growth.</span></p>
<p class="p2"><strong><span class="s1">Mixing home remedies</span></strong></p>
<p class="p1">Insects are repelled by garlic and cayenne pepper, so use it to make a spray that can be applied to plants as often as needed.</p>
<p class="p2">Handle the solution carefully because capsaicin, the active ingredient in pepper, is a very powerful eye and skin irritant.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">COMBINE</span><span> </span></strong>six unpeeled and crushed garlic cloves with one tablespoon of cayenne pepper in a clean bucket.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">ADD</span></strong><span> </span>a litre of warm water and stir the mixture well for one minute then cover the container and leave in a location out of direct sunlight, letting it stand for two days.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">STRAIN</span></strong><span> </span>the solution into a plastic spray bottle and use within 24 hours.</p>
<p class="p1"><strong>Spotting and treating infestations</strong></p>
<p class="p1">Aphids usually attack soft, new young growth and can cluster unseen on the underside of leaves. Monitor plants throughout spring, checking the leaves for signs of aphid activity, and treat infestations immediately.</p>
<h4 class="p1"><strong>Herbs</strong></h4>
<p><strong>PROBLEM<span> </span></strong>Leaves are distorted, yellowing or sticky</p>
<p><strong><span class="s1">SOLUTION</span></strong><span> </span>Companion plant with nectar-rich species like scabiosa or sweet alyssum and include dill, fennel and chives to attract beneficial insects.</p>
<h4><strong>Vegetables</strong></h4>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">PROBLEM</span><span> </span></strong>Leaves are curled, puckered or sticky</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">SOLUTION</span></strong><span> </span>Spray insecticidal soap directly onto aphids. To make your own, mix two tablespoons of pure soap flakes in a litre of water.</p>
<h4 class="p1"><strong>Flowers</strong></h4>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">PROBLEM</span></strong><span> </span>Insects cluster on buds and leaves are curled, distorted or yellowed</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">SOLUTION</span></strong><span> </span>Apply a botanical insecticide such as neem, spraying the foliage in the early evening.</p>
<h4 class="p1"><strong>Shrubs</strong></h4>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">PROBLEM</span></strong><span> </span>Distorted, sticky leaves.</p>
<p><span class="s1"><strong>SOLUTION</strong></span><span> </span>Make a pepper and garlic spray for heavily infested foliage and use as needed. It will very effectively protect roses from both sucking insects and fungal issues.</p>
<h4 class="p1"><strong>Fruit trees</strong></h4>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">PROBLEM</span></strong><span> </span>Leaves are misshapen and stunted</p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">SOLUTION</span></strong><span> </span>Prune off and dispose of infested leaves, stems and shoots then spray the tree with white oil, making sure to coat the pests.</p>
<h4 class="p1"><strong>Citrus species</strong></h4>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s1">PROBLEM</span></strong><span class="s2"><span> </span>Black insects cover new growth, leaves wither and buds drop</span></p>
<p class="p1"><strong><span class="s3">SOLUTION</span></strong><span> </span>Prune affected shoots to encourage new, healthy growth and apply pyrethrum, also spraying it around the base of the tree.</p>
<p><em>Written by Artemis Gouros. Republished with permission of </em><a href="https://www.handyman.net.au/eradicate-aphids"><em>Handyman</em></a><em>.</em></p>
