How do aphids get on indoor plants?
Aphids are easily brought indoors on infested plants, attached to clothing, or by the wind through an open window. Aphids come in a range of colors including green, yellow, orange, red, beige, pink, and black. They love young tender growth, which can be completely covered with the insects. Aphids are most active when temperatures are warm or hot and often cause the most damage to plants in late spring. Their favorite plants to infest are non-woody, blooming plants like zinnias, dahlias, cosmos, and asters.Aphids are small, 1/16- to 1/8-inch-long (2-4 mm), pear-shaped, soft-bodied insects. They can range in color from green, black, red, yellow, brown or gray.This ubiquitous pest typically starts showing up in gardens mid summer and will linger through fall, often spreading and getting worse if left unaddressed. Read below to learn how to identify aphids and aphid damage, and how to manage them.The tiny insects known as aphids have long been an enemy of people who grow plants, from home gardeners to farmers. Their voracious appetite for sap can wreak havoc, but for many growers, another threat they pose is even worse: disease.
Why am I getting aphids?
In the case of aphids, it may be a combination of the spring drought and our gardening routines. We often apply fertilizers in the spring to give our plants a boost of nutrients. Aphids are attracted to young, tender, fast-growing plant parts rich in nitrogen. Aphids are also attracted to stressed plants. Aphids can cause stunted growth with curled or distorted leaves and can weaken the plant. Many aphids excrete a sticky honeydew on which black sooty moulds can grow. White cast skins of aphids can accumulate on the upper surface of leaves.Visible Pests: Look for small, pear-shaped insects clustering on stems and leaves, particularly new growth. Sticky Residue: Aphids excrete honeydew, which can attract other pests and promote mold growth. Stunted Growth: Infested plants often exhibit slowed or distorted growth due to aphids draining essential nutrients.Signs or Damage of Aphids They often target tender, young growth, such as soft stems and new leaves or buds. Plants are left wrinkled, curled and puckered, with stunted growth. Another sign of aphid problems is black sooty mold that forms on the sweet honeydew aphids excrete as they feed.Indoors, aphids spread between plants by flying or crawling. Aphids cause damage by sucking sap from new growth on plants. They tend to cluster at the growth end of plants and attach themselves to the soft, green stems.
Are aphids harmful to humans?
Are Aphids Dangerous? To humans, no, not directly. Are Aphids Dangerous? To humans, no, not directly. But aphids can be quite damaging to plants, such as crops, which means they can destroy our farms, trees, and gardens if left unchecked.Aphids hate bananas! Who knew? If you finely chop a banana peel and then plant the peel around the base of the affected plant, the aphids will get the hint and go away.
What is the best aphid killer?
The most organic method of control, and often a quite effective one, is the spray of water. Soapy water can help kill the aphids, as it sounds like you know, but a particularly strong jet of water will dislodge/kill most of them physically, as well. Controlling aphids without chemicals These predators are not present indoors, so you will need to control aphids yourself: Wash off greenfly with a jet of water from a hose. Hand-squash small infestations.The most organic method of control, and often a quite effective one, is the spray of water. Soapy water can help kill the aphids, as it sounds like you know, but a particularly strong jet of water will dislodge/kill most of them physically, as well.If your plants are infested with aphids, spraying white vinegar mixed with water on the underside of the leaves can help you get rid of them. It’s another natural remedy that’s great for short-term use, and is not harmful to humans.Vinegar Spray Ingredients: White vinegar and water. Recipe: Mix one part vinegar with three parts water. Application: Spray the solution on the aphids. Vinegar can kill aphids on contact but be cautious as it can also harm plants.