Controlling Aphids on Vegetables

easyGardening30 minutes6 steps

Safety Warnings

Use insecticides according to label directions to avoid plant injury or human toxicity.

Hose/Water Sprayer — Capable of producing a hard stream of water

Sprayer — For application of contact insecticides

Soap solution — Simple mix for green aphids(As needed)

Nicotine solution — Contact spray for black aphids(As needed)

Kerosene emulsion — Contact spray for black aphids(As needed)

Inspect plants for curled or deformed leaves and check soft growing tips and the undersides of leaves for insects.

Tip: Early detection is critical; it is much easier to kill a few insects than a whole host.

Monitor for natural enemies, such as lady beetle and lacewing larvae or parasitized aphids.

Tip: Parasitized aphids often appear gray-brown or bloated.

Apply a hard stream of water to the plants to physically remove the aphids.

Tip: Perform this wash early in the day.

Identify the color of the aphids to determine the treatment: use a simple soap solution for green aphids.

Tip: Green forms are generally the easiest to kill.

Use a stronger contact insecticide, such as nicotine solution or kerosene emulsion, for black aphids.

Tip: Black aphids are more tenacious and require stronger measures.

Apply contact sprays with force to ensure the solution actually makes physical contact with the insects.

Tip: Sucking insects cannot be killed by poisoning the plant sap; the spray must hit the insect directly.

Apply remedial measures promptly to prevent severe plant deformation.
Avoid deferring spraying until infestations are large, as this makes control significantly more difficult.

Synthesized from 3 verified sources:

Gutenberg: War Gardens GuideView →

Cornell ExtensionView →