Aphids in the garden? Four tips for effective combat!

Aphids in the garden? Four tips for effective combat!

Aphids are a common pest in gardens, greenhouses and even windowsills. These small pests, which can range in color from green to black, feed on the phloem sap of plants, causing symptoms such as leaf curl and reduced plant growth. They also secrete honeydew, which leads to sticky coatings on the leaves. In their fight there is loud sueddeutsche.de several effective strategies recommended by the German Nature Conservation Association (Nabu).

One control measure recommended by experts is mechanical removal of aphids. A hard jet of water or a brush can be used. However, this method is quite time-consuming as each leaf must be treated individually and several passes are necessary to achieve the desired result.

Beneficial insects as natural fighters

Another important strategy is to promote beneficial insects that live on aphids. Birds, ladybugs and lacewings are natural predators of these pests. By installing nesting aids and planting native plants, such as wildflower meadows or hedges with wild shrubs, garden owners can attract these useful helpers. Plantura emphasizes that special habitats for beneficial insects should be created in the wild in order to support their population.

Ladybugare particularly effective in controlling aphids. A single larva can eat up to 4,000 aphids in two weeks. AlsoParasitic waspsplay a crucial role as they parasitize the aphids by laying their eggs in them. A female parasitic wasp can affect up to 500 aphids in her life cycle. In addition, there are alsoLacewingsuseful, whose larvae also have a high consumption of aphids.

Plant resources and natural resources

In addition, there are various plants that can be used to combat aphids. Garlic and onions are known to repel aphids through their smell. Lavender also has a similar effect. One particular plant, nasturtium, attracts aphids and can distract from infested plants. Herbal remedies such as ivy broth, made by boiling 45 ivy leaves in a liter of water, can also be sprayed on aphids and are an effective method for home gardeners.

For severely infested plants, experts recommend plant manure, for example from nettles or field horsetail, which are also effective. However, care should be taken to use poisonous plants such as tansy or bracken specifically so as not to endanger beneficial insects.

In summary, it can be said that combating aphids with a combination of mechanical methods, the promotion of beneficial insects and the use of certain plants and natural products can be promising. The right approach not only counteracts harmful insects, but also helps preserve biological diversity in the garden.