📋 Steps
1
Watch for 5-7 days before treating
Natural enemies — lady beetles, parasitoid wasps, lacewings — often control aphids faster than any spray. Count aphids and check for predators before intervening. Parasitized aphids look tan and swollen (mummies) — their presence means control is underway.
2
Start with a strong water spray
A high-pressure water spray removes 50-80% of aphids immediately. Repeat every 2-3 days. This is often sufficient for moderate infestations on established plants.
3
Apply insecticidal soap to colonies
If water spray isn't enough after 5 days: apply 2% insecticidal soap directly to aphid colonies. Apply to the underside of leaves where colonies concentrate. Repeat every 5-7 days.
4
Neem oil for reproduction disruption
After 2-3 soap applications: apply neem oil to provide different mode of action and disrupt aphid reproduction. This prevents resistance and addresses any survivors.
5
Address ant mutualism
If ants are tending the aphids: apply sticky barrier (Tanglefoot) to the stem/trunk to exclude ants. Ants actively protect aphids from predators — removing ant access dramatically improves biological control.
💡 Tips
- Never apply pyrethrin or pyrethroid for aphids — it kills natural enemies and often makes the problem worse in the medium term
- Aphid populations on healthy established plants often crash naturally — tolerance of some feeding is part of maintaining a healthy predator community
- Heavy aphid infestations on stressed plants need intervention — but don't mistake healthy plant aphid activity for emergency treatment situation