What Are Aphids?
Aphids are incredibly small insects that commonly infest shrubs, trees and palms in Florida. They’re a common sap-sucking insect, meaning they have needle-like mouthparts that pierce leaves and suck out juices.
They excrete honeydew, a sticky, sugary substance that attracts ants and can cause sooty-mold growth. Since honeydew attract ants, it's common for an ant infestation to result from the presence of aphids.
Aphids can also be a vector for common plant viruses such as cucumber mosaic virus, potato virus, and carnation latent virus.
What Are the Signs of an Aphid Infestation?
- Lots of soft bodied insects on your plants that are green, black, red, yellow, brown, or gray.
- Shiny, sticky leaves (honeydew).
- Leaves covered in a black substance (sooty mold).
- Puckered, curled, leaves or stunted growth.
- Ants patrolling your plants.
How Do I Get Rid of Aphids on Vegetable Plants Naturally?
The good news about controlling aphids is that you can use water to get rid of them! Put water in a spray bottle and simply try spraying the aphids off.
If the water doesn’t work, you can use a natural insecticide such as neem oil mixed with water.
Ladybugs are beneficial predatory insects that can repel aphids. If you find ladybugs on your plants, that means that they’re protecting your plants. If not, you can purchase ladybugs and spread them around your garden.
What If Nothing Works to Get Rid of Aphids?
If you try these methods and still find aphids harming your plants, calling a lawn pest control company is the best option. Native Pest Management uses pet friendly and eco-friendly products to get rid of aphids, as well as other sap-sucking insects in Florida including mealybugs, whiteflies and scale insects.
Call us today to make your garden pest free!
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