How to keep aphids off of your plants
Got aphids? [http://www.spray-n-growgardening.com/32.asp]
Aphids are one of the most common destructive insects around. It would be safe to say that most gardeners have encountered aphids at one time or another. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that use their piercing mouth-parts to suck sap out of your plants. They reproduce quicker than rabbits, and can infest your entire garden and indoor plants before you are aware you have them.
If you notice curled or yellowing leaves, stunted growth or a shiny, sticky coating on the leaves of your plants (honey-dew), chances are, you've got aphids. Two other things to look for are ants and Sooty Mold. Ants love honey-dew, the shiny, sticky liquid that is excreted by the aphids. Keep the ants away though, as they are one of the culprits that helps spread the aphids from plant to plant. Honey-dew is also a great environment for Sooty Mold fungus to develop. If you have Sooty Mold, the leaves of your plants will look like they have been painted black or have black soot on them.
Here are a few tips to help you keep aphids off of your plants:
Inspect new indoor and outdoor plants for aphids before you bring them home.
Check the undersides of your leaves weekly for aphids. Treat them at the first sign of infestation, before their population begins to multiply.
If you notice aphids, spray your plants with a steady stream of water to knock as many of the aphids as you can off your plants.
Always use environmentally friendly and organic garden products to kill the aphids. Bon-Neem Insecticidal Soap and Bonide Rotenone-Pyrethrins all kill aphids (and the ants) on contact, without harming people, plants, pets or the environment.
Whatever you do, don't let an aphid problem get out of control. They can set you back to square one quicker than you can pull out your garden sprayer.
Aphids are one of the most common destructive insects around. It would be safe to say that most gardeners have encountered aphids at one time or another. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that use their piercing mouth-parts to suck sap out of your plants. They reproduce quicker than rabbits, and can infest your entire garden and indoor plants before you are aware you have them.
If you notice curled or yellowing leaves, stunted growth or a shiny, sticky coating on the leaves of your plants (honey-dew), chances are, you've got aphids. Two other things to look for are ants and Sooty Mold. Ants love honey-dew, the shiny, sticky liquid that is excreted by the aphids. Keep the ants away though, as they are one of the culprits that helps spread the aphids from plant to plant. Honey-dew is also a great environment for Sooty Mold fungus to develop. If you have Sooty Mold, the leaves of your plants will look like they have been painted black or have black soot on them.
Here are a few tips to help you keep aphids off of your plants:
Inspect new indoor and outdoor plants for aphids before you bring them home.
Check the undersides of your leaves weekly for aphids. Treat them at the first sign of infestation, before their population begins to multiply.
If you notice aphids, spray your plants with a steady stream of water to knock as many of the aphids as you can off your plants.
Always use environmentally friendly and organic garden products to kill the aphids. Bon-Neem Insecticidal Soap and Bonide Rotenone-Pyrethrins all kill aphids (and the ants) on contact, without harming people, plants, pets or the environment.
Whatever you do, don't let an aphid problem get out of control. They can set you back to square one quicker than you can pull out your garden sprayer.
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