While you want there to be water pressure, make sure you don’t damage the plants by setting the pressure too high. Repeat as needed to remove aphids when they crop up.
If the aphids have infested an entire leaf or stem, snip off the section using scissors or pruning shears and drop it in the soapy bucket of water. Wear gloves to protect your hands.
You don’t have to coat the entire plant in flour, just the spot where the aphids are gathering. Ingesting the flour will constipate the aphids.
Make sure you wipe both sides of the leaves.
You can also purchase ladybugs or lacewings from a farming supplier to release in your yard, if desired.
Install small birdhouses for the birds to live in as an alternative to planting shrubs or trees.
Ants and aphids have a symbiotic relationship. The ants protect the aphids from predators and the aphids produce a sugary fluid the ants eat. You can also use vinegar, lemon juice, or cinnamon to help keep ants from creeping too close to your plants.
Aphids also like dahlias, larkspur, and zinnias. These decoy plants are a bit like a sacrifice to the aphids in your garden. The aphids will concentrate on them, so avoid becoming too attached. Not controlling aphids will only lead to an increase in their numbers, eventually leading to their spread to other plants. You will still need to police their numbers on your decoy plants. How far away you plant the trap plants will depend on the specific type of plant and how much room it needs to grow. Start with at least a distance of 2 feet (24 in).
Designate 1 spray bottle as your essential oil sprayer. The oils tend to perfume and permeate the plastic, making them less than ideal for other uses going forward.
You can also make a tomato leaf spray to use on the plants.
Find neem oil at a home and garden store, some big box stores, or online. Note that neem oil will perfume any sprayers for a long time. It’s best to designate a particular bottle for this use. You can also use horticultural oil to spray onto the plants.
These soaps are designed to kill the aphids. Insecticidal soaps are less toxic to mammals (humans and pets) than chemical insecticides. That said, follow the manufacturer’s directions about any safety precautions or gear you should wear when using them.
