Aphids can be one of the most harmful garden pests around, but if you’ve got an infestation, you may not know how to deal with it. Pest control experts have shared exactly how to stop aphids in their tracks and prevent them from destroying your outdoor space
If you’re a gardening enthusiast, you’ll understand the crucial role of pest control. Certain pests, like aphids, can wreak havoc on your garden if left unchecked – a nightmare scenario after investing hours of hard work over the summer.
Aphids are among the most destructive garden pests, but you might not be aware how to deal with the situation. Pest control experts at Ronseal have revealed exactly how to halt aphids in their tracks and save your outdoor haven from devastation.
The best part is that one natural ingredient works wonders at keeping them away.
Aphids can infest both indoor and outdoor plants. While a few won’t cause much harm, large clusters crawling on stems or sticky residue on your plants could signal trouble, reports the Express.
The secret weapon against them is garlic. This humble veggie contains allicin, a sulphur compound that deters insects and may also serve as a natural antifungal agent.
How to keep aphids away
You can whip up your own non-toxic garlic spray to keep aphids at bay. Simply peel the cloves from a whole bulb of garlic and blitz in a food processor or blender with 235ml of water.
Blend, then add another 700ml of water and 30ml of washing-up liquid. Give it another whizz, transfer to a jar and let it steep overnight.
Come morning, strain it with a fine mesh sieve to remove any leftover garlic bits, decant the liquid into a spray bottle and store it in the fridge.
When it’s time to use it, spritz your plants in the evening, ensuring both sides of the leaves are covered. Repeat this weekly as a preventative measure, or every few days if you’re dealing with an aphid invasion.
If you’d rather not have the scent of garlic wafting around your garden, you can blend a few drops of washing-up liquid with water in a spray bottle and apply it to the affected plants. This method can effectively remove and deter aphids.
Bear in mind that aphids are attracted to nitrogen-rich fertilisers, so avoid over-fertilising your plants as this could make them more appealing to these pests.