Get rid of aphids the most effective way with 100% green pest control methods

Aphids are sap-sucking insects that attack garden plants. Though not usually harmful, heavy infestations will cause leaves to wilt, curl, and turn yellow, eventually resulting to poor plant growth and declining vigor.

Aphids are common indoor and outdoor insects that often feed in a cluster. They have small body size (1/8 inch-long), with different colors (according to species) ranging from yellow, green, brown, red, and white. Some aphids also exhibit a furry or woolly appearance. Adults often have no wings, but some can grow a pair when the population is high.

In spring, young aphids will start to hatch from overwintering eggs, and soon will give birth as well to many nymphs. As young larvae increase their size, they can already produce more larvae within a week. As the population increases, female fairies will start to develop wings and fly off to the other plants to start new colonies.

The thing about aphids is that most of them do not need a mate to reproduce; they produce living young, rather than eggs.

 

How destructive aphids can be

These insects usually swarm in moderate numbers, but too much population can be highly fatal to host plants. With vast amounts, aphids can suck the life out of a plant.

As they feed on a plant, aphids secrete a sticky fluid called honeydew. This fluid is secreted in large amounts, and is sweet that attracts ants and promotes a black mold growth on leaves. That is why aphids are also known as “ant cows,” as ants milk the sweet fluid they’re producing. In such mutual relationship, ants will try to protect the aphids from any harm. Which only implies that not just one faced aphid infestation, but as well as the invasion of ants.

 

How to control

There can be a lot of natural ways to control aphids. Soap and water solution is the most common.  However, managing them in a wrong way, especially with harmful pesticides can be destructive to nature and health as well. Products used must be organic and 100% environmentally-friendly to get rid of aphids infesting your plants.

As part of the Integrated Pest Management program, TPM assures you only to use green, non-toxic products and tools to solve any pest infestation going on at your property. Call us for a free pest inspection today!