Over the centuries, aphids have gained the hatred of both farmers and gardeners alike because of their ability to destroy plants, flowers and crops quickly.
In this article, I'll explain what aphids are, why they are a pest and how you can get rid of them.
For those that don't know, aphids are tiny pear-shaped insects that are between 1.
5 and 9.
5 millimeters long.
They're usually green but can be a variety of different colors including black, brown and even pink.
They have six legs and two antennae as well as a feeding tube that they use to pierce a plants phloem vessels and drink their sap.
A reduction in a plant's sap results in a number of adverse affects because water and nutrients are diverted from going where they need to.
This can cause blossoms and flowers to fall off, leaves to curl and turn yellow and brown as well as a general lack of vigor in the plant as a whole.
Wilting will occur and eventually the plant will die.
A single aphid will not cause any noticeable damage, but these little critters hang out in colonies of dozens and even hundreds so they have considerable strength in numbers.
The first technique you need to know to get rid of aphids is the hose technique.
This involves simply pointing a hose at the aphid colony and using the pressure of the water to knock them off your plants.
Once knocked to the ground, the aphids will soon die of starvation or become the prey of other insects.
Talking of other insects, another neat way to get rid of aphids is to introduce one of their natural predators into their environment.
Ladybugs can be bought from many gardening stores and they will eat any aphids that they meet.
If you find that the ladybirds are just flying away instead of eating the aphids, brush a little fizzy drink on their backs - this will temporarily glue their wings together forcing them to the ground.
The final technique for getting rid of aphids is to mix your own insecticidal soap or bug spray.
You can do this by filling a spray bottle with water and adding a little dish washing detergent.
Then, spray your concoction over the aphids.
Aphids are soft-bodied insects and the detergent removes the waxy protective coat that prevents water escaping from their bodies.
Without their protective coat, the aphids will dehydrate and die.
I hope you've found this useful - for further info, check out my website about getting rid of aphids.
In this article, I'll explain what aphids are, why they are a pest and how you can get rid of them.
For those that don't know, aphids are tiny pear-shaped insects that are between 1.
5 and 9.
5 millimeters long.
They're usually green but can be a variety of different colors including black, brown and even pink.
They have six legs and two antennae as well as a feeding tube that they use to pierce a plants phloem vessels and drink their sap.
A reduction in a plant's sap results in a number of adverse affects because water and nutrients are diverted from going where they need to.
This can cause blossoms and flowers to fall off, leaves to curl and turn yellow and brown as well as a general lack of vigor in the plant as a whole.
Wilting will occur and eventually the plant will die.
A single aphid will not cause any noticeable damage, but these little critters hang out in colonies of dozens and even hundreds so they have considerable strength in numbers.
The first technique you need to know to get rid of aphids is the hose technique.
This involves simply pointing a hose at the aphid colony and using the pressure of the water to knock them off your plants.
Once knocked to the ground, the aphids will soon die of starvation or become the prey of other insects.
Talking of other insects, another neat way to get rid of aphids is to introduce one of their natural predators into their environment.
Ladybugs can be bought from many gardening stores and they will eat any aphids that they meet.
If you find that the ladybirds are just flying away instead of eating the aphids, brush a little fizzy drink on their backs - this will temporarily glue their wings together forcing them to the ground.
The final technique for getting rid of aphids is to mix your own insecticidal soap or bug spray.
You can do this by filling a spray bottle with water and adding a little dish washing detergent.
Then, spray your concoction over the aphids.
Aphids are soft-bodied insects and the detergent removes the waxy protective coat that prevents water escaping from their bodies.
Without their protective coat, the aphids will dehydrate and die.
I hope you've found this useful - for further info, check out my website about getting rid of aphids.
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