How to get rid of aphids for good?
Need an effective treatment against aphids ? Here's our step-by-step guide to eliminate them without toxic products in indoor plants or small greenhouses.
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You will need :
•Scissors / Pruners
•Plastic bags
•Black soap
•Sprayer
Natural predators :
•Green lacewings
You will need :
•Scissors / Pruners
•Plastic bags
•Black soap
•Sprayer
Natural predators :
•Green lacewings
Preparation
Cut off affected shoots
If possible, cut off the new shoots where aphids are clustered.
Remove debris
Remove dead leaves and other debris that may interfere with the treatment.
Wrap the pot
Wrap the pot in a plastic bag to protect the root ball during the treatment.
Cleaning
(Normal)
Prepare a work space
Prepare a work space that can get wet; ideally outside, in the sink or in the bathtub.
Adjust the water
Use the strongest stream of water possible without damaging the plant. (hose, faucet, shower head, etc.).
Wash the leaves and stems
Generously spray all leaves and stems. Cover all angles in several passes.
Cleaning
(Non-washable plants)
Prepare the sprayer
Prepare a sprayer of black soap solution. Dissolve five tablespoons per liter of warm water.
Spray the plant
Spray generously until the entire plant is saturated. It is important to cover 100% of the plant surfaces.
Drying
Let the plant dry
Wait for the leaves to be completely dry before introducing predators.
First introduction
Introduce the lacewings
Install the lacewing strips in infested plants.
Second introduction
Repeat the introduction
Wait three weeks and repeat the same introduction.
Monitoring and prevention
Monitor
Monitor for at least eight weeks. If new signs of aphids appear, do another cleaning.
Prevent
Once the aphids are eradicated, continue monitoring. Ideally, do a few additional lacewing introductions to prevent reinfestation.
Preparation
Cut off affected shoots
If possible, cut off the new shoots where aphids are clustered.
Remove debris
Remove dead leaves and other debris that may interfere with the treatment.
Wrap the pot
If treating a potted plant, wrap the pot in a plastic bag to protect the root ball during treatment.
Cleaning
(Normal)
Prepare a work space
Prepare a work space that can get wet; ideally outside, in the sink or in the bathtub.
Adjust the water
Use the strongest stream of water possible without damaging the plant. (hose, faucet, shower head, etc.).
Wash the leaves and stems
Generously spray all leaves and stems. Cover all angles in several passes.
Cleaning
(Non-washable plants)
Prepare the sprayer
Prepare a sprayer of black soap solution. Dissolve five tablespoons per liter of warm water.
Spray the plant
Spray generously until the entire plant is saturated. It is important to cover 100% of the plant surfaces.
Drying
Let the plant dry
Wait for the leaves to be completely dry before introducing predators.
First introduction
Introduce the lacewings
Install the lacewing strips in infested plants.
Second introduction
Repeat the introduction
Wait two weeks and repeat the same introduction.
Monitoring and prevention
Monitor
Monitor for at least eight weeks. If new signs of aphids appear, do another cleaning.
Prevent
Once the aphids are eradicated, continue monitoring. Ideally, do a few additional lacewing introductions to prevent reinfestation.
Predators
What quantity of lacewings do I need ?
Use one strip per single plant, per shelf, or per square meter of grouped plants. To calculate order quantities, click here
How do I introduce the natural predators ?
The usage instructions may vary by product. Consult the product page for details.
Treatment
Should I replace my plant's substrate?
Nymphs and adult aphids remain on the foliage. It is therefore unnecessary to change the plant's substrate.
What should I do if my plants cannot be cleaned?
If you cannot clean with water it will be harder to treat your aphids. As a last resort, you can use black soap as a foliar spray and increase the quantity and frequency of predator introductions.
What should I do if I still have aphids after this treatment?
Aphids are particularly prolific. If some plants seem more affected than others, consider discarding the problem plants or cleaning them every seven days.