Marjorie G. Rosen is a Long Island resident who has long been involved in a number of philanthropic causes and maintains a lifelong passion for gardening. One of the challenges that Marjorie G. Rosen and other residential gardeners confront is aphids, which are small green insects that multiply quickly and can inundate leafy plants and lowers. When it comes to natural methods of eliminating aphids, a high-pressure spray of water on plants that are able to withstand this treatment may be sufficient. Keep in mind that this is more effective before an infestation has fully emerged and will not be suitable for young and delicate plants. Another option is to simply don a pair of gloves and hand-remove the aphids, taking time to prune off areas of the plants with maximum exposure. Turning soapy water into a homemade spray is another option. Diluted soap effectively dissolves the aphids’ protective outer layer, while leaving beneficial insects with harder bodies, such as ladybugs and bees, intact. Make sure you are using Castile or another pure liquid-type soap free of degreasers, detergents, and moisturizers. Also apply spray to the leaves’ undersides, as these areas harbor larvae and eggs. Alternatively, neem oil and essential oils may be used as part of a spray mixture. Ladybugs may also help control aphid populations. Keep in mind that it’s actually the larval ladybugs that feed on aphids, so you need to maintain a ladybug population through the entire breeding cycle for them to address the infestation.

1. Natural Ways of Addressing Aphids in the Garden
Marjorie G. Rosen

2. Introduction
Marjorie G. Rosen is a Long Island resident who has long been involved in a number of
philanthropic causes and maintains a lifelong passion for gardening. One of the
challenges that Marjorie G. Rosen and other residential gardeners confront is aphids,
which are small green insects that multiply quickly and can inundate leafy plants and
lowers.

3. When it comes to natural methods of eliminating aphids, a high-pressure spray of water
on plants that are able to withstand this treatment may be sufficient. Keep in mind that
this is more effective before an infestation has fully emerged and will not be suitable for
young and delicate plants. Another option is to simply don a pair of gloves and hand-
remove the aphids, taking time to prune off areas of the plants with maximum
exposure.

4. Turning soapy water into a homemade spray is another option. Diluted soap effectively
dissolves the aphids’ protective outer layer, while leaving beneficial insects with harder
bodies, such as ladybugs and bees, intact. Make sure you are using Castile or another
pure liquid-type soap free of degreasers, detergents, and moisturizers. Also apply spray
to the leaves’ undersides, as these areas harbor larvae and eggs. Alternatively, neem oil
and essential oils may be used as part of a spray mixture.
.

5. Ladybugs may also help control aphid populations. Keep in mind that it’s actually the
larval ladybugs that feed on aphids, so you need to maintain a ladybug population
through the entire breeding cycle for them to address the infestation.