A natural aphid spray is made of plants and home spices that naturally repel or kill aphids. The spices contain essential oils or materials that keep aphids away from your garden, while the spices provide a similar effect as insecticides.
And because no synthetic chemicals are involved in these sprays, you don’t have to worry about them harming your plants or pets; the only thing you need to worry about is making sure that the aphid spray doesn’t kill your beautiful plants.
Natural aphid spray is a great way to keep your plants healthy and happy. The smell is subtle enough to be pleasant but strong enough to deter aphids from munching on your plants.
Aphids are common plant louse that feeds on plants by sucking out their juices. They can be a nuisance to gardeners and detrimental to your plants when left unchecked.
There are many natural ways to get rid of aphids without using chemicals. One such way is by using soap and water to get rid of aphids or essential oils known to repel aphids.
As explained below, you can make an effective aphid spray by combining other home items. These sprays are safe for kids and pets and will not harm your plants.
Natural aphid spray VS Chemical spray
Why opt for a natural spray when a chemical spray can be more potent with a swift result? Between natural aphids and chemical spray, Which is the Best?
You can use the two sprays to combat aphids in your garden: organic and inorganic. Organic sprays kill the bugs with plant oils or other ingredients such as garlic and cedar oil (which they don’t like). In contrast, inorganic sprays kill insects by causing their nervous systems to shut down or disrupt the exoskeleton.
Chemical sprays are designed to kill pests. They do this by using chemicals that target the pest’s nervous system. These sprays are not necessarily your best bet when dealing with aphids because they can kill beneficial insects in your garden, slowing down your plants’ growth. However, they can be a quick solution if you have an infestation or in the absence of these natural sprays.
On the other hand, natural aphid spray targets the insect’s stomach, the part of the body that digests food and carries it to other body parts (like where it will be stored). This allows natural aphid spray to work more effectively on insects with weakened immune systems or those unable to tolerate chemicals in their systems because they have been exposed already.
DIY Natural Aphid Spray
Natural aphid sprays are made from a mixture of organic ingredients that act as a repellent, killing the bugs. These sprays are typically made from various items, which have all been shown to deter aphids away from your plants.
There are numerous natural homemade sprays you can use to make your plants safe and get rid of aphids. These sprays are ideal for various plants, such as roses, tomatoes, and many more. These sprays are safe for kids and pets and would now harm beneficial insects. Below are some homemade natural sprays to eliminate aphids and protect your plants.
Garlic spray for aphids
Garlic is an effective natural remedy against aphids because it contains alliinase enzymes. Allicin is an enzyme that breaks down the surface coating on aphids and other insects’ bodies. This can cause them to die from lack of oxygen, leaving their bodies exposed to the sun’s rays, which also kills them.
You can use this garlic spray on your plants and in your garden, as well as on your lawn and in containers. It’s safe for pets and children. However, if you are going to use garlic spray on your plants, you should do so in the morning when the sun is out, and the wind isn’t blowing too hard. Here is how to make a garlic spray
- 2 bulbs of garlic cloves
- One quartz water
Peel and blend the cloves using a blender and mix with water; sieve the debris of the clove, so you can have garlic juice and also prevent clogging the sprayer. Pour the juice into a spray bottle and spray your plants. The garlic will repel aphids from your garden and keep them from returning.
Soap and water
Some time to get rid of aphids, soap and water could be all you need. This method is the easiest way to get rid of aphids. Just mix your soap with water and spray it on your plants. You can also use this method to treat plant leaves, a common way to get rid of aphids.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 Tbsp of dish soap
- A spray bottle
- 1 tsp of vanilla, almond, or mint extract if you want a fresh scent. (optional)
Directions: Combine all ingredients in a spray bottle and shake to combine. Apply as needed to control aphids on plants. Adding essential oils can also make this into a homemade insect repellent.
Spray the leaves of your plants with this solution every three days. If you notice any yellowing or browning on your leaves, stop using this spray immediately until it clears up. You can also give them a warm water bath every three days.
Neem oil Spray
Neem oil is extracted from the seeds of Azadirachta indica, the Indian neem tree. It has been used in India as a repellent and insecticide since ancient times and is effective against other pests. Neem oil spray is a great way to get rid of aphids without using harsh chemicals or killing beneficial insects.
It’s easy to make and can be sprayed directly onto the plant when you see any signs of aphids. You can also use it as a natural alternative to insecticidal soaps and sprays like Orthene or pyrethrum. It also works as a repellent, so insects don’t come near the plants where it is applied.
Add two tablespoons of neem oil to one quartz of water, mix well until neem oil dissolves and pour into a spray bottle, and then spray as often as needed on plants where aphids are present.
However, ready-made Neem oil sprays can be found at any local grocery store or garden center if you don’t want to make one, but if you don’t have one near you, you can order it online from Amazon. The best part about neem oil spray is that it’s natural, with no harmful side effects.
Natural aphid spray vinegar
Vinegar is a strong acetic acid that is good for killing insects. It has been used throughout history to kill pests, but it has other uses. The vinegar works by drying out the honeydew that aphids produce when feeding on your plants.
It also has a nice scent that will keep other insects away from your garden area. You can make a natural aphid spray vinegar in minutes to help keep aphids away from your plants. To make your vinegar spray, you will need the following:
- White vinegar/ apple cider vinegar (do not use distilled)
- 2 cups water
- 1 tbsp dish soap or vegetable oil (optional)
Mix one cup of apple (cider) vinegar with one cup of water and gently spray on your plants. You can also use it as a preventative measure against aphids. The best way to do this is to spray some of this on the leaves of your plants at least once or twice a week during warm weather (like spring and summer).
The best thing about this DIY natural aphid spray is that it has no pesticides or harmful chemicals, so it’s safe for kids and pets, but using too much may harm your plants.
Baking soda
Baking soda is an effective natural remedy for aphids. It has a strong smell that will repel insects. It’s made up of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), the same ingredient that makes up baking powder.
It’s a chemical compound that kills by blocking the electrochemical signaling between insects’ nerve cells and their muscles. The baking soda and water mixture will help kill the aphids on contact by neutralizing their acidity. You can make your natural aphid spray with baking soda and water.
Mix one cup of baking soda with one gallon of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Shake well before using so that the baking soda isn’t clumpy. Spray on your plants once a week until they are no longer infested with aphids.
Diatomaceous Earth Spray
I’ll spare you the science, but diatomaceous earth (DE) is an ancient compound made up of tiny fossilized shell structures. It comes in powder form and is often used for pest control. It’s also been found to have health benefits!
When DE is sprayed on plants or soil, it works like a charm at killing off aphids—and it’s completely natural!
You can make a diatomaceous earth spray that will kill aphids and other insects on plants and trees. There are a few different methods of using this spray, so read through the instructions below to see how you can make your own. Make your spray
- A spray bottle
- A tablespoon of diatomaceous earth (DE) per cup of water
Mix one tablespoon of DE with one cup of water or as needed in a spray bottle. Shake up until all lumps are gone, then spray on plants where aphids like to hang out.
Rubbing Alcohol Spray
Rubbing alcohol spray is another great way to control aphids on your plants. The alcohol will kill the aphids and keep them away from your plant for up to a month.
You can use rubbing alcohol spray to treat aphids on your houseplants, roses, or even trees suffering from aphid infestation.
It’s easy to make your own natural rubbing alcohol spray at home by mixing 1 part rubbing alcohol with 3 parts water in a spray bottle. Then, add 1 tablespoon of dish soap (optional) to the mixture and shake well. Spray the mixture on plants that are suffering from aphids.
Best Natural Insecticide for Aphids
If you don’t have time to make a natural aphid spray, you can buy it from stores online. These sprays are tested and trusted to be effective against aphids and other pests disturbing your garden. Below are some of the best to buy
Monterey LG Neem Oil Ready-To-Use Insecticide
Monterey LG Neem Oil Ready-To-Use Insecticide is an insecticide that kills aphids by attacking their midgut. This product is highly effective and safe for people, pets, and the environment.
It contains neem oil, which is a plant-based alternative to chemical pesticides. This product can be used indoors or outdoors and does not need diluted before use. The product is safe for all plants, including houseplants and flowers.
It works by killing aphids through contact with the plant. This product also kills other insects that may destroy your plants, such as whitefly and scale insects.
Natural Guard Spinosad Soap
The Natural Guard Spinosad Soap is a great way to get rid of aphids. It’s made from natural ingredients, so it’ll work in your garden without harming the environment or you. You can apply this soap to your plants and leaves or use it in your soil for good old-fashioned pest control.
The soap itself is made from all-natural ingredients, like Spinosad (a natural insecticide that works by interfering with the nervous system) and neem oil (which reduces the attractiveness of plants). It’s also safe for humans, pets, and wildlife. The soap comes in a spray bottle with a trigger nozzle designed to release the right spray when you want it.
You can use this soap on any plant that’s susceptible to aphids, it’ll work just as well on plants like tomatoes or roses as it will on vegetables like squash or cucumbers. Make sure you don’t apply too much pressure when spraying–you don’t want to hurt yourself or your plants.
Safer Insect Killing Soap Concentrate
Safer Insect Killing Soap Concentrate is a natural soap concentrate that kills aphids on contact. It can be used as a spray or a dip and is effective against all types of aphids. It’s safe to use around children, pets, and plants.
Safer Insect Killing Soap Concentrate is made with organic ingredients sourced from organic farms in the United States. The organic ingredients do not contain pesticide residues, so you can use this soap with confidence that it won’t harm your family or your garden.
This soap kills aphids, whiteflies, and other insects on contact. It’s safe for use in gardens but also effective against various other creatures, such as rodents, ants, and spiders.