Different Ways to Get Rid of Aphids Effectively

You can make your aphid spray by mixing canola oil and baking soda. The oil will break down the aphid’s exoskeleton, making it more vulnerable to toxins. Baking soda’s abrasive nature will wear down the outer shell of the bug and kill them eventually.

To make the recipe, combine 1 gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of canola oil and 1 tablespoon of baking soda. Transfer the solution into a spray bottle and then apply it to your plants. This method works best on indoor plants that have limited exposure to aphids and other insects.

If you are worried about harming beneficial bugs in your garden, you should apply the solution during the dormant period for pests outdoors or only to your indoor plants.

Another option is to remove the infested part or the entire plant. Pruning the bad parts also improves the plant’s quality. However, you should still treat the plants with an anti-aphid spray.

Aside from pruning the infested parts, you may also need to move the whole plant. Separating the plants from each other will help prevent the infestation from spreading. Place the infested plants in another area such as the balcony.

Cayenne also works as a natural aphid repellant. Combine 1 cup water and 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper then apply the mixture to the infested plant.

It is also important to monitor other household pests if you are dealing with an aphid infestation. Honeydew attracts other insects such as ants.

The pesticide treatments used on aphids usually work on ants too. However, the best way to deal with this problem is to prevent the ants from reaching the aphids. You can hang plants indoors to prevent insects from reaching your plants.

You can make your insecticidal soap by adding 5 tablespoons of mild dish soap and water (one gallon). If you have succulents, you can treat them with horticultural oil instead. Either way, mix the ingredients and transfer the solution into a spray bottle.

Apply the solution to the infested plants once a week, but you will need multiple applications to get rid of an infestation. This recipe works well on aphid-infested roses. Aphids will quickly die when sprayed with the mixture.

If you do not like to create one, we recommend that you use Ortho Bug B Gon Eco Insecticidal Soap RTU 1L or Safers Insecticidal Soap RTU 1L.

Neem oil is also effective against aphids. It is not harmful to small kids and pets, so you can use it inside your home. Mix 1 tablespoon of neem oil and 2 cups water. This mixture is particularly effective against woolly aphids. Neem oil upsets the bug’s hormonal balance and makes it hard for them to develop into an adult. To get the best results, apply this mixture once a week to the infested plants. 

You can also make an alcohol spray to kill aphids on your indoor plants. Either rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol will work fine. Both options will not harm your houseplants. To make your alcohol spray, mix equal parts water and alcohol then transfer the mixture into a spray bottle.

If it is a small infestation, you brush the infested area with a cotton swab dipped in the alcohol mixture. You can also spray heavily infested areas with the solution. Treat the plants twice a week. This mixture also works on millipedes, ants and other garden pests that found their way inside your home.

Another way to get rid of aphids is by bringing in natural predators and beneficial insects that eat aphids. Lady beetles, for instance, can eat around 50 aphids daily.

Lacewings can eat about 200 aphids weekly. They can also help control other pests such as spider mites. Most garden and lawn stores sell ladybugs and lacewing eggs. Growing plants that can attract beneficial insects is another way to keep aphid populations under control.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is also effective against aphids. It dries out the aphids without harming your plants. Use food-grade DE when treating aphid-infested flowers and shrubs. Spray the plants with water before sprinkling them with DE to give the product something to hold onto.

Pay attention to the undersides of leaves. Do not apply the powder to the flower petals if you are going to leave your plants outside until the infestation is under control. Coating the blooms with DE may harm beneficial pollinators such as butterflies and bees.

For this purpose we recommend the BeGreen Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth 1kg Domestic, Crawling Insect Diatomaceous Earth 1 KG, or the Prem Food Grade & Baited DIATOMACEOUS EARTH 3KG.

Essential oils can also help eliminate aphids on your indoor plants. The oil kills aphids and deters other pests as well. Clove, rosemary, peppermint, or thyme essential oil works well against aphids. You can either choose one or combine it all.

To make the recipe, combine 1 teaspoon of Castile soap, 8 ounces of water and 1 teaspoon of your preferred essential oil then transfer the mixture into a spray bottle or sprayer. Apply it to the infested plants then let it dry completely. The mixture will kill both the adult aphids and their eggs.