How to Control Aphids Using Beneficial Insects

A question I'm frequently asked is how to control aphids. An Aphid is a common garden pest that's actually quite beneficial to have in your vegetable garden. Aphids do not feed on plants, but rather suck up the sap from them. This sap contains a substance that attracts ants, which then causes leaves and buds to become itchy and uncomfortable to be around. The map also contains a chemical that makes the plant attractive to butterflies, which are the primary source of food for aphids.

However, if you have an established plant that attracts these pests, getting rid of them can be difficult. Some of the most common garden plants that attract aphids include pepper, potatoes, tomatoes, melons, eggplants, and peppers. There are a few things you can do to help control these pesky insects, including some simple gardening tips. Pepper plants, for example, can be sprayed with a citrus-based solution to help attract birds and other wildlife to your garden. If you have tomato plants, you can water them often with a natural hose to keep the soil moist and aphids less likely to be able to grow in them.

Many gardeners mistakenly believe that spraying their garden with insecticidal soap or bug sprays is enough to keep aphid infestations away. This couldn't be further from the truth. The chemicals in these products can actually be poisonous to beneficial predators in your garden, such as ladybirds and lacewings. Ladybirds, for instance, will consume the chemicals within minutes if they are ingested. And while wasps can tolerate some insecticidal sprays, they will get very mad if there is an entire garden full of them.

If you have a large infestation, you may need to call a professional pest control company in order to get rid of the bugs. They will usually use a baited system where a trap is set, sealed off, and then baits are laid around the perimeter. These traps release honeydew that attracts the hungry bugs and then is cleaned away after thirty days. Professional companies will also test the baits before using them on your garden in order to make sure that they do not pose a threat to people or pets.

When treating a garden in order to get rid of aphids, you should wear gloves and old clothing, as the oils produced by the aphids can cause stinging if you come in contact with them. The best thing to do is apply soap to the aphid bait but remember to wear gloves. Apply enough soap to cover the areas of the plants where you will be working. Put the traps in the middle of the garden, but make sure that they are far enough away from the root systems so that the soapy water will not spread and affect the other parts of the garden. After the soapy water has soaked the bait, remove it, and wipe the soil clean before you apply more.

Another trick in getting rid of aphids involves the use of honeydew. It is an essential ingredient in many products designed to repel insects, including bug sprays. While the smell of honeydew might repel most pests, it can attract the dreaded aphid - the culprit behind many gardeners' problem. You can apply the honeydew in the evening, just before you go to bed, but keep in mind that this method does not work during the summer. It can also be sprayed throughout the day, but you will need to reapply when it rains.

You can also use garlic to repel pests, although there are other methods available. While garlic has natural compounds that may prove very effective against pests, it can be quite toxic to your plants. Fortunately, however, it is quite easy to grow your own garlic either in your garden or in a small container indoors. Garlic can also be shredded for applying directly to the affected plant. To do this, simply cut it into thin slices or dice and spray the sliced pieces with the soap solution.

If you do not have any natural alternatives, then the best way to get rid of aphid infestation is to contact a local garden shop or nursery where you can purchase sprays and other products that contain pesticides. These products contain various pesticides that are generally safe for most gardeners, but there are always the beneficial insects that will feed on the aphids and eat them, which can result in spreading of the insecticide into the surrounding environment. In this case, you would probably be better off contacting a pest control company. However, if you do have natural alternatives at home, such as garlic or milkweed, you can still effectively combat aphid growth by having a controlled environment. It is just going to take a little longer.