Aphids Attack in Summer, Be Careful They Don't Destroy Your Garden

A few days ago we welcomed the Start of Summer, and along with the rising temperatures and muggy conditions, aphids have gradually begun to run rampant. This is one of the most common and hardest pests to eradicate, not only tenacious in life but also extremely fast at reproducing, so you must deal with them early, otherwise they may well become the culprit that destroys your garden.

Signs of Aphid Infestation

Aphids are very small insects, with as many as over a thousand species, commonly seen in yellow-green and black, among others. They survive mainly by sucking plant sap, usually hiding on the underside or sides of leaves, and they stunt plant growth, and in severe cases can even cause plants to wither and die.

To spot aphids early, you need to fully understand the characteristics of infested plants. Plants typically suffering from an aphid infestation generally show the following three signs:

1. White dot-like substances on the leaf surface

These white objects are the shells left behind when aphids reproduce and molt, and this sign indicates the plant has already been visited by aphids, so you must carefully examine the leaf surfaces of the plant and take measures to clear them early.

2. Shriveled leaves, deformed flower buds

Once you notice the plant's growth is not quite right, with leaves inexplicably shriveling or flower buds becoming deformed, this is very likely a sign that aphids are about to run rampant.

3. Yellow spots on leaves

When you find unidentified yellow spots on the surface or underside of the leaves, and these spots show a tendency to gradually expand, it means the plant has very likely been infested by aphids, and the aphids are gradually multiplying and running rampant. At this point you must do a good job of disinfecting and clearing them, and kill these pests early in the cradle.

Simple Tricks to Clear Aphids

1. Plant ash

Plant ash has excellent insecticidal properties, especially against aphids and other pests in the soil, with very notable insecticidal effect, and it is eco-friendly and convenient, recommended for all you flower lovers to use.

You can directly spread the plant ash evenly over the soil surface of the flower pot, or mix water and plant ash evenly and then spray the solution over the soil surface. This method mainly clears aphids inside the soil and prevents endless future trouble.

2. Citrus solution

Citrus fruit peels contain limonene, and this substance can not only effectively kill aphids but also form a natural protective shield on the plant surface, preventing aphids from attacking again.

Tear the citrus peel into small pieces, put them in a container, add an appropriate amount of warm water, soak for about 24 hours, and then spray the resulting solution on the surface of the flowers infested with aphids, which can effectively kill the insects.

3. Soaking tobacco in water

This is also a good way to effectively kill aphids, and it is very simple to do.

Take about 20 cigarette butts and soak them in water, let stand for 12 hours until the water solution turns brown. Then dilute the resulting solution with five to eight times as much clean water, and pour it onto the soil surface, which can effectively kill and prevent aphids.

4. Garlic insecticide

Because garlic contains a considerable amount of sulfur, it can remove aphids and disinfect and sterilize, making it the ideal choice for killing aphids.

Peel the garlic and crush it, add an appropriate amount of clean water (about four to five times as much) and mix evenly; you can add some citrus peel to help remove the odor. Then spray the resulting solution on the aphid-infested areas, which can quickly kill aphids and prevent them from attacking again.

5. Clever use of dish soap

This is something the editor learned from a master gardener: dish soap from your home can also kill aphids, and the editor has tried it personally, with really quite good results.

Mix dish soap and clean water at a ratio of about 1:500, then spray it on the surface of aphid-infested plants. This water solution can quickly suffocate aphids to death, and the effect is quite good; generally one or two uses can kill all the aphids in the soil.

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