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- #641
King's Outdoor RD2 Open Journal
- Thread starter KingJoe83
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- Thread starter
- #642
Thanks think o might try the honey trick when get home also going to buy perlite or stones to lay over sandy soil see if f it helps with ants too but love my neem oil bud ask around specially @KismetHow To Get Rid Of Aphids: 12 Organic Methods That Really Work
August 19, 2014 by Editorial Team
This post may contain affiliate links. Read our Affiliate Disclosure here.
Of the over four thousand species of aphid known to exist, around 250 of those are considered harmful to crops. Also known as green flies or plant lice, aphids are among the most prominent and successful garden pests worldwide. These tiny insects pierce the stems of plants – preferring tender new growth to established greenery – in order to suck out the nutrient-rich sap, thus depriving the plant of the fuel that it needs to thrive. Aphids also frequently carry viruses which infect a host plant as the insect feeds. Such viruses are often lethal to crops like potatoes, citrus fruits, and grains. Furthermore, the honeydew secreted by aphids as they feed creates a favorable environment for sooty molds which spread quickly to coat the leaves of a plant, depriving it of sunlight.
While an aphid infestation may start out slow, aphids reproduce quickly and a colony of these pests can easily destroy entire crops if left untreated. Fortunately, there are many ways to keep aphids in check using all natural and organic means that won’t compromise the health of your garden or your family.
1. Physical Removal
For minor infestations of aphids, it may be possible to physically remove the insects from your plants. Don a pair of gardening gloves and brush or pinch the pests from stems and leaves. If the infestation is contained to one or two stalks or branches, prune off the affected portion(s) and drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill the aphids.
2. Water Pressure
It is possible to spray aphids off of plants with the simple application of a garden hose. While this method may harm younger, more fragile host plants, it can be quite effective at controlling small aphid populations on more robust and well-established plants.
3. Soap and Water
The basic nature of mild household detergents makes them perfect for getting rid of mild to moderate aphid infestations. Dilute a few tablespoons of dish soap in a small bucket of lukewarm water and use a sponge or spray bottle to apply the mixture to plants where aphids have taken hold. Upon contact, the soap will dissolve the waxy protective coating from aphids’ bodies, dehydrating and eventually killing the insects without harming the plant. Remember to also treat the undersides of leaves where aphid eggs and larvae may be hiding!
***It is important to note that most forms of soap will also kill beneficial insects. Use caution when applying this treatment to your plants, as killing off populations of natural predator insects such as ladybugs, hoverflies, and lacewings will leave the door wide open for new colonies of aphids to move in.***
4. Neem Oil
Used in much the same way as dish soap, organic and pure Neem oil may be diluted in water and sprayed onto plants infested with aphids. The organic chemicals present in Neem oil act as a repellent against not only aphids, but also a wide array of other garden pests including mealy bugs, cabbage worms, beetles, leafminers, ants, and caterpillars. Neem oil is also effective in controlling the spread of many types of fungus that infect plants among a number of other things.
***While Neem oil won’t necessarily kill beneficial insects, it may repel them from your garden. For this reason, apply this and any other form of insecticide or repellant with care.***
5. Essential Oils
Create a cocktail of equal parts thyme, peppermint, clove, and rosemary oils (all available from here)- 4-5 drops of each should suffice. Mix this solution into a small spray bottle filled with water. Shake well and apply to infested plants. This potent mix of essential oils will kill most garden insect pests as well as their eggs and larvae. This combination also works great as a general purpose outdoor / indoor insect repellent!
Learn more about using essential oils in the garden in this great article.
6. Insecticidal Soap
There are many premixed all-natural insecticidal soaps treatments available for garden pest-control. Always remember to read and follow the instructions provided with these products to avoid inadvertently harming any beneficial species of insect that may be present in your garden.
7. Beneficial Insects
Green Lacewing – an important ally to help get rid of aphids.
In some cases, it may be easier to introduce new or bolster existing populations of predator insects into areas infested with aphids. The most well-known of these is the ladybird or ladybug beetle which may be purchased in bulk from most gardening and farming equipment suppliers, or even from Amazon. Also known for their appetite for aphids are hoverfly larvae and green lacewings. Lacewing eggs may also be purchased, however hoverflies will need to be drawn into your garden naturally. Do this by planting fragrant herbs such as garlic, catnip, and oregano whose flowers attract these tiny predators. You can also grow herbs like clover, mint, dill, fennel, and yarrow around your garden to naturally attract ladybugs and lacewings.
Further Reading: 10 Ways To Attract Beneficial Insects To Your Garden
8. Bug-eating Birds
Another method for natural aphid control is to encourage the nesting of birds such as wrens, chickadees, and titmice around your garden. The best way to attract these delightful aphid-devouring predators is to offer them free food and housing space. These birds prefer to nest in small trees and twiggy shrubs that provide good cover. Try planting hydrangeas, abelia, and other shrubs with dense foliage in which birds can hide from predators. Evergreen bushes and trees like boxwoods, arborvitae, and privet are also excellent choices for attracting birds that prey on aphids.
Small birdhouses specifically designed for these species are another great option.
Also, while it may seem counter-productive, put out a feeder designed for small birds and fill it with seeds that attract small birds. Black oil sunflower seeds, pre-hulled sunflower seeds, nuts and nut hearts are all good choices. Birds who come for the seeds will most likely stay to dine on your aphids!
9. Watch Out for Ants
The honeydew secreted by feeding aphids is also a favorite food for many species of ants. As such, ants will often protect colonies of aphids from predators much like people protect their livestock. Find a way to draw the ants away from their aphid-cattle such as by baiting them with small containers of honey placed near the base of the infested plant. With the ants out of the way birds and predator insects will have better access to the aphids. Here are some more effective ways to get rid of ants.
10. Natural Repellents
Aphids dislike the organic compounds which give onions and garlic their signature aroma. Grow these and other Alliums around your garden to discourage aphids from taking up residence there.
11. Natural Attractants
Conversely, you can select an area some distance away from the plants you wish to protect from aphids and plant some of these pests’ favorite foods there. Zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, and asters are all appropriate peace offerings which aphids will happily infest in lieu of your precious garden. Also, this will give the birds and predator insects a reason to stay in the vicinity (just in case the aphids decide to leave their designated area!)
12. Preserve the Balance
The solution to controlling aphid populations does not necessarily mean total annihilation of these pests from your garden. Consider this: If there are no aphids to dine on, predators that naturally consume these insects will certainly fly away seeking more abundant food sources. Instead of destroying every aphid in sight, make an effort to grow plants which are hardy enough to survive small populations of aphids. Don’t over-fertilize, over-shelter, or otherwise baby your plants. This will allow them to grow up big and strong, fully capable of healing the small amount of damage caused by a modest number of sap-sucking insects. Once you’ve achieved a balance between predators, prey, and host plants, you may never have to worry about over-population of aphids in your garden again.
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- Thread starter
- #643
Hey lady thanks for stopping by just trying to not die of heat exhaustion lol
How are keeping ? Things good ?
- Thread starter
- #644
Thanks Dabs , happy independence day Americans
I'm good thanks! Hotter than hell in Boston too! Waiting for my two Mauis to pop to start my next indoor grow. Want a piece of property so I can try an outdoor grow! Eventually! My CBD is helping my anxiety and my sleeping.
- Thread starter
- #646
Yeah been out fo my special oil micro dosing ... and I feel like my anxiety is actually worse to be honest something to monitor more closely once I get new patch hmmm
Yeah hit o think 45 plus degrees here or over 110f here today we have been having hot shorter days but earlier starts .
Thank god home tomorrow heard thunderstorms tonight . At home hope my girls are alright .
Do you got the Boston accent ?
Outdoor growing is bit challenging first thing to do is study environment outside temp gage. Plus hydrometer too see what it’s doing study it ? Take notes now that you are already planning ahead . Also if in a yard for example study your sun rise and set on property . This can also help you understand your grass better where it gets shade and not . So good for knowing what you could get for grass seeds or ferts for grass .
Then have a good recipe for pest attack the more common ones . Mites, phids, caterpillar, and other animals like rabbits .
Emclosing an area so it’s say rabbit size proof . Will help .
I hear you could even buy fake tomatoes and hang them on branches make it look like a tomatoe plant from far kinda deal.
So many things but space an light are never issues
Have a good night lady
Yeah hit o think 45 plus degrees here or over 110f here today we have been having hot shorter days but earlier starts .
Thank god home tomorrow heard thunderstorms tonight . At home hope my girls are alright .
Do you got the Boston accent ?
Outdoor growing is bit challenging first thing to do is study environment outside temp gage. Plus hydrometer too see what it’s doing study it ? Take notes now that you are already planning ahead . Also if in a yard for example study your sun rise and set on property . This can also help you understand your grass better where it gets shade and not . So good for knowing what you could get for grass seeds or ferts for grass .
Then have a good recipe for pest attack the more common ones . Mites, phids, caterpillar, and other animals like rabbits .
Emclosing an area so it’s say rabbit size proof . Will help .
I hear you could even buy fake tomatoes and hang them on branches make it look like a tomatoe plant from far kinda deal.
So many things but space an light are never issues
Have a good night lady
I'm good thanks! Hotter than hell in Boston too! Waiting for my two Mauis to pop to start my next indoor grow. Want a piece of property so I can try an outdoor grow! Eventually! My CBD is helping my anxiety and my sleeping.
- Thread starter
- #647
Hey check it out my buddy’s clone I gifted and taking off Walmart soil 9.3.6 mix 4$ bag lol only giving tap water he is added some stuff see descriptions in photos
Happy for him teaching him now teaching him to top it you think ?
Happy for him teaching him now teaching him to top it you think ?
- Thread starter
- #648
I’m going to give him perlite to put over top of medium too
He could top it if he wants. I wouldn't do any defol on an outdoor plant.
- Thread starter
- #650
He could actually top it get root stimulate and get maybe bit more from second lolHey check it out my buddy’s clone I gifted and taking off Walmart soil 9.3.6 mix 4$ bag lol only giving tap water he is added some stuff see descriptions in photos
Happy for him teaching him now teaching him to top it you think ?
- Thread starter
- #651
Hey bud ! How ya been ? Still alive I see
What’s good in the hood ?
Hey you get email about hlg new board they put together buddy ? Pretty dope !
New hlg 160 watt kit seems like a nice little light for a 4x2.5x5.5 tent lol keep it short lol
I started cannabis for the arthritis and crohns but happily found out it also helped me sleep and the anxiety. Glad it helps you. Hope you can get back to it soon!Yeah been out fo my special oil micro dosing ... and I feel like my anxiety is actually worse to be honest something to monitor more closely once I get new patch hmmm
Yeah hit o think 45 plus degrees here or over 110f here today we have been having hot shorter days but earlier starts .
Thank god home tomorrow heard thunderstorms tonight . At home hope my girls are alright .
Do you got the Boston accent ?
Outdoor growing is bit challenging first thing to do is study environment outside temp gage. Plus hydrometer too see what it’s doing study it ? Take notes now that you are already planning ahead . Also if in a yard for example study your sun rise and set on property . This can also help you understand your grass better where it gets shade and not . So good for knowing what you could get for grass seeds or ferts for grass .
Then have a good recipe for pest attack the more common ones . Mites, phids, caterpillar, and other animals like rabbits .
Emclosing an area so it’s say rabbit size proof . Will help .
I hear you could even buy fake tomatoes and hang them on branches make it look like a tomatoe plant from far kinda deal.
So many things but space an light are never issues
Have a good night lady
You got the temps worse than we do for sure! Haha! I don't have the accent, but my hubby does. My parents were from NY and NJ, so we never picked up the accent. My Dad made sure we pronounced our words correctly...he was an English major...so we were pretty much screwed!
Since moving back close to the city, hubby's accent is getting stronger again. I like to make fun...
I had veggie gardens in my last home. I am well versed with pests! My husband would just shake his head and laugh at me when I yelled at the bunnies to get out of my garden like a psycho woman. I used a lot of neem oil, lady bugs, fox urine, marigolds... herb mixes. I was lucky. My parents were both into landscaping, vegetable gardening, and fruit trees. At one point almost my whole family worked at a local nursery. It was kind of funny. I wish my parents were still around. They were a wealth of knowledge. I have a pretty good library of books now too.
When we buy our next house it will have exactly what I need for growing veggies and cannabis!
Have a great night! It's good to see your progress here and to catch up. Enjoy your evening! It will hopefully be cooler!
Your buddy's clone looks great Joe. I'm sure part of that is your coaching
Haven't seen HLG newest boards, I'll have to look at it
Oh I would!
Not sure I could possibly get away with not defoling.
They have samsung producing a board specifically for them now. Must cut down a ton of production costs. Gotta love the boards 
HLG started out with 2 guys, they've done amazing work.
What about coffee grinds, would that keep the bugs away since it's acidic? Cause it would be good for outdoor soil, right?
Oh wait, you're adding molasses, that's like have a sex addiction meeting in a stripper joint. Not sure you can keep bugs away there. hahahaha stop it brain!
Oil should be there when you get home.
Hang in there, you'll even out very soon.
It's so hot here I'm sweating from my tongue...
hahahahaha just trying to make you laugh.
SMEXY is my new word, I love it! If I can remember to say it.
Oh wait, you're adding molasses, that's like have a sex addiction meeting in a stripper joint. Not sure you can keep bugs away there. hahahaha stop it brain!
Oil should be there when you get home.
Hang in there, you'll even out very soon. It's so hot here I'm sweating from my tongue...
hahahahaha just trying to make you laugh.SMEXY is my new word, I love it! If I can remember to say it.
- Thread starter
- #659
Ya thanks lady your a saverWhat about coffee grinds, would that keep the bugs away since it's acidic? Cause it would be good for outdoor soil, right?
Oh wait, you're adding molasses, that's like have a sex addiction meeting in a stripper joint. Not sure you can keep bugs away there. hahahaha stop it brain!
Oil should be there when you get home.
It's so hot here I'm sweating from my tongue...
SMEXY is my new word, I love it! If I can remember to say it.
Yeah I think smexy is a fun word.
I swear I have enough words I have created that I could throw a joes language dictionary together lol
Again thanks a lot and have a wicked awesome Friday
Off to work, see you smexy people this afternoon!