Lesson 2
Aphids — the universal pest
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Aphids are tiny, soft, pear-shaped sap-suckers in green, black, grey or pink. They cluster on new shoots and undersides of leaves. They breed astonishingly fast — but they're equally easy to control.
Damage signs: distorted new growth, sticky 'honeydew' on leaves below, sooty mould on the honeydew, ants farming the colony.
A three-step aphid plan
- 1Day 1: blast the colony with a strong jet of water from a spray bottle. Repeat morning and evening for two days.
- 2Day 3: if still present, mix 1 tsp mild liquid soap into 500 ml water and spray underside of leaves at dusk (never in sun).
- 3Day 7: encourage natural enemies — plant calendula, ammi, fennel, or buy in lacewing/ladybird larvae from a garden centre.
Plants that pull aphid predators
- Calendula — hoverflies
- Ammi & dill — lacewings
- Yarrow & alyssum — ladybirds
- Single-flowered marigolds — parasitic wasps