Curling leaves, wilting buds, and the plant losing its attractiveness are the first signs of pests. To save the beauty on the windowsill, you need to know how to get rid of aphids on indoor flowers and prevent their appearance in the future. When fighting parasites, it is important to identify and eliminate the causes of the problem, and then destroy the pests using folk remedies or insecticides.
Aphids are a dangerous parasite that quickly adapts to any conditions and in a short time creates large colonies that destroy indoor plants. To save your home greenhouse, it is important to start pest control in a timely manner.
The article contains relevant and effective methods of combating aphids that will help save the plant and restore its attractiveness and vitality.
Description of aphids and how they appear in the house
Aphids are small insects with long legs and a pointed abdomen. The oblong body can be yellow, green, black or pink, but white pests are most often found on indoor plants.
One female aphid can lay up to 100 eggs at a time, which in a couple of weeks turn into adults that destroy flowers. Parasites use their proboscis to suck out the juice from the stems and leaves, depriving the plant of its vitality and attractiveness. In addition, they often spread viral and fungal diseases (sooty fungus). If the necessary measures are not taken in a timely manner, pests quickly adapt to any habitat and form numerous colonies that can destroy all the beauty on the windowsill.
Aphids attack different types of plants, but hyacinths, chrysanthemums, hibiscus, orchids, fuchsias and cyclamens are especially susceptible to attack by pests.
Where can pests appear in the house:
- through open windows and a balcony in the absence of mosquito nets;
- with new flowers (cut or in pots);
- from a person's clothing;
- through the soil used for transplantation;
- The carriers of the larvae can be ants that breed aphids for their own food.
To avoid the spread of aphids from a newly purchased plant to your home ones, keep it in quarantine for several days, and also carry out preventive treatment with special insecticides.
The main reason for the appearance of aphids is dried soil and high indoor temperatures.
Kinds
Aphids are an unusual group of insects in terms of biology, species diversity and pest threat. They usually form large colonies both on the above-ground parts of the plant and on the roots. With its vital activity, aphids generate pathological changes in the affected areas, which manifest themselves in the curling of foliage, deformation of the ends of shoots, and the formation of galls - growths that are hollow inside.
The result of the life activity of aphids is the formation of sticky secretions (honeydew), which serves as food for ants, which contribute to the spread of insects.
Aphids have a complex cyclical development. The most typical cycle is with fertilized larvae overwintering in the ground or on the root parts of plants. In the spring, wingless females emerge from them, capable of reproducing without fertilization. In addition to these females, each species of aphid also has a winged female, whose role is to spread the species and change the host plant. Males have wings.
Aphids are small insects from 1 to 7 mm long , having a jelly-like body of oval, round or elongated shape with a delicate cover. The head has antennae, eyes and a proboscis, with the help of the latter the pest bites through the surface of the leaves. With the help of long legs (there are only 6 of them), the insect is able to move and jump.
The species diversity of the pest is enormous - about 5 thousand species.
They vary in size and color. There are species in which the development cycle occurs on a specific specific plant. This is a monophagous species.
Others develop on various plants. This is a polyphagous species of aphid. The pest is prolific: during one season, the female lays up to 100 eggs every 10 days.
Mostly these types of flower aphids parasitize house plants.
- Aphids are white or hairy. The oval body is light brown in color with bristles on the sides and is covered with a white fluffy coating, so the affected plant looks as if it is dusted with frost. The stems become deformed, the foliage and flower ovaries dry out and crumble.
- Black or cherry aphid. The wingless female has a wide pear-shaped body with a length of 2 to 2.4 mm. The shiny back is black, the belly is brown. The winged female also has a shiny black body about 2.4 mm long. Prefers stone fruits, but can also live on domestic flowers.
Let's look at other varieties of aphids that can also infect indoor plants.
Green peach or greenhouse
The body of the pest is oblong-ovoid, up to 2.5 mm in size. The integument of the body has a color that depends on the plant on which the pest lives, and can be light green, yellow-green, or pink. With massive damage, buds and foliage wither and fall off. This species can parasitize 50 plant species: vegetable, fruit, greenhouse crops, and house flowers.
Melon or cotton
This is a polyphagous species of insect. The body of the aphid is elongated-oval, pointed at the back, has a length of 1.2 to 1.9 mm and is colored yellow, rich green or black-green. The legs and antennae are dark brown or black. The winged female has a black head and chest. A characteristic feature of this species is the ability to form dense colonies on both foliage and buds, as well as on shoots. It can affect vegetable and berry crops, citrus fruits, fruit trees, flower and ornamental crops, including greenhouse crops.
Bean (beet)
This is a migratory insect species. The pest has an oval-shaped body, slightly expanded on the sides, 1.7-2.7 mm long. Body color can be varied - from different shades of green to brown and even black. The insect has a black chest, and the abdomen usually has a lighter color. The legs and antennae are light with a black top. The winged female is similar to the wingless one, but the breast and head have a glossy black cover.
The bean aphid attacks various legumes, nightshades, pumpkins, asteraceae species of garden crops, as well as weeds and ornamental flowers.
Big potato
The large body of the insect is spindle-shaped and can reach a size of 4 mm. The integument of the body is green or red. The winged female is somewhat smaller in size - from 2.3 to 3.4 mm. It is colored light green, and its antennae and paws are brown.
The wingless female can overwinter in the ground, and in the spring she moves to the plant. Aphids cause damage to garden crops (potatoes and cabbage, beets and tomatoes) and many ornamental indoor and greenhouse plants.
The main harm caused by aphids is the spread of about 50 types of viral infections.
Signs of pests on flowers
Aphids can cause significant damage to plants, so it is important to begin combating the parasites as early as possible. To do this, you need to know the signs of pests in your home greenhouse and periodically inspect each indoor flower for symptoms of disease.
The first manifestations of aphid infestation:
- a sticky layer and tiny punctures appear on the leaves and young shoots;
- flower buds quickly fade and fall off before they have time to bloom;
- the flower loses its attractiveness, withers and dries out;
- leaves darken and curl;
- Ants appear on the windowsill, attracted by the waste products of aphids, which are used by insects as food.
One of the signs of plant infestation by aphids is the appearance of ants. Insects feed on honeydew secreted by parasites, so they are always close to them and can even independently introduce pests to flowers
Varieties
In total, there are about 30 species of aphids that live on indoor plants. In a large group, the most common varieties are:
- Home;
- Ordinary potato;
- Greenhouse;
- Apple green;
- Peach;
- Cabbage;
- Tobacco;
- Mealy;
- Bakhchevaya;
- Thistle;
- Cherry.
Aphids from garden crops prefer to settle on indoor flowers in the winter.
According to color it happens:
- White;
- Pink;
- Green;
- Yellow.
Reference! Black aphids can infect flowers with pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Lead to rapid death.
Popular: Reasons why monstera leaves turn yellow and what to do
Folk remedies and methods of combating aphids
You can remove aphids from indoor plants yourself using available means. Such methods are easy to use, affordable and absolutely safe for healthy flora, people and pets.
Algorithm for saving indoor plants:
- Isolation of a sick flower, which will protect the rest from infection.
- Preventive spraying of healthy flora.
- Treatment of the affected flower using the chosen method.
Folk remedies for fighting aphids are presented in the table:
| Active substance | Procedure for preparing the composition | Mode of application |
| Celandine | Grind 150 g of dried raw materials or 350 g of fresh herbs and add 1 liter of water. Leave the product in the dark for 24 hours | Spray the plant with the resulting infusion three times at intervals of a day. |
| Wood ash | Mix 50 g of soap, 0.5 l of ash and 10 l of water | Treat the affected leaves and shoots with a filtered solution until the pests are completely destroyed. |
| Garlic | Grind 30 g of garlic in a blender, add 1 liter of water and leave to brew for a day in a dark place. | Treat the flowers with the resulting product three times at intervals of 5 days. |
| Tomato tops | Grind 500 g of raw material, add 1 liter of water and boil for 30 minutes. Add 4 g of liquid soap to the cooled broth | Treat the affected plant until complete recovery. |
| Tobacco | Combine raw materials and water in a 1:2 ratio and let it brew for 2 days. | Dilute the resulting infusion with water and spray the flower. Avoid contact with the soil to avoid damage to the root system. |
| Hot pepper | Grind 50 g of pepper and add 125 ml of water. Boil the mixture for an hour and let it brew for a day | Dilute the filtered infusion in 10 liters of water, use for spraying and watering flowers |
| Orange peels | Pour 100 g of citrus peel with water and let it brew for a couple of days in a warm place | Spray plants affected by aphids |
| Needles | Pour 500 g of pine needles into 2 liters of water and leave for a week, then strain and dilute with water in a ratio of 1:7 | Treat the flower several times with a break of 4 days |
Geranium, dill, parsley, mint or marigold will help fight aphids. Parasites cannot stand the aromas of these plants, so by placing a pot with one of them on the windowsill, you can not only get rid of pests, but also avoid their appearance in the future.
Ladybugs can be used as a biological method of controlling aphids, so do not drive out an insect that has settled on an indoor flower
Remedies for aphids on houseplants
Whitefly on indoor plants - how to deal with it at home
At the beginning of the fight against aphids, you can simply try to remove them mechanically. Inspect all leaves, buds and growing points, carefully collect insects using a soft brush or cloth. An effective method is to shower both affected and healthy plants, which is repeated periodically until the aphids completely disappear.
Spraying with plain water does not give much results; it is better to add laundry soap to the water. The solution is made in a ratio of 6:1. They also wipe all parts of the plant with a soft cloth moistened with soap and water, trying to capture all pests.
Spraying against aphids
Such mechanical methods can be used when there are few insects. The procedures are repeated regularly due to the fact that the larvae can be hidden in hard-to-reach places. As a last resort, the affected leaves are removed. There are many chemicals that can kill aphids. Insecticides are the only way to remove if black aphids appear on jasmine, chrysanthemums or cyclamen. Houseplants should be sprayed with pesticides:
- Drug 30 Plus;
- Fitoverm;
- Inta-Vir;
- Spark;
- Karate and others.
When using chemicals, make sure to ventilate the room. Some products emit an unpleasant odor. When using insecticides, remember that they are dangerous for children and animals, so they adhere to the following requirements:
- processing is carried out strictly according to the instructions;
- use gloves and a respirator;
- cover not only affected but also healthy plants.
After treatment, the condition of the flowers is checked. Usually, at first it is not possible to remove all the insects; larvae remain in hard-to-reach places and may reappear. Carry out 2-3 treatments with an interval of 7-10 days.
Additional Information . Spraying will be more effective when treating the substrate in a pot together, especially if white aphids have attacked.
Mechanical methods of getting rid of pests
You can save indoor flowers using mechanical cleaning, but this method is effective only at the initial stage of infection. To preserve the plant, remove damaged leaves, buds and shoots and wash it daily under running water. A solution of laundry soap will help to achieve maximum effect. Processing procedure:
- Prepare a soap solution from laundry soap and water in a ratio of 1:6.
- Prepare the necessary attributes, put on rubber gloves.
- Soak a sponge in the solution and thoroughly wipe all leaves, shoots and stems. Avoid getting the product on the soil.
- Rinse the plant with clean running water.
- Repeat the treatment daily until the parasites are completely eliminated.
To mechanically remove aphids, wipe the leaves daily with a damp sponge, remove affected shoots and bathe the flowers under running water.
As an alternative to soap solution, you can use medical alcohol - dissolve 6 tbsp in 1 liter of water. spoons of the product and wipe all the leaves. This composition effectively removes pests and does not damage the leaves, since ammonia quickly evaporates from the surface.
To be sure to get rid of aphids, replace the top part of the soil, where eggs and larvae of pests may be. In this case, choose high-quality soil that has been disinfected or frozen.
What does a pest like?
Aphids are polyphagous and harm almost all plants. She especially likes crops whose juice is rich in carbohydrates and amino acids. Aphids with delicate leaves, succulent shoots, and lush buds are often found. Which domestic flowers are affected by the pest:
- Violet;
- Orchid;
- Calla;
- Cyclamen;
- Begonia;
- Chrysanthemum;
- Hydrangea;
- Primrose;
- Hibiscus.
The palm family is rarely attacked by aphids due to the rigidity of the leaves and shoots.
Chemicals for killing parasites
If folk remedies are ineffective, use chemicals. The choice of means depends on the degree of damage and the scale of the disaster. The most effective means include: “Decis”, “Iskra”, “Fitoverm”, “Aktellik”, “Confidor”, “Akarin”, “Karate”.
Spraying flowers with chemicals will help get rid of aphids. When working with insecticides, observe safety precautions and strictly follow the instructions for the product.
Procedure for using chemicals:
- Read the instructions for use of the product.
- Take the recommended safety measures - put on seals and a respirator, remove pets and children from the premises. After handling, wash your hands thoroughly with a concentrated soap solution.
- Wipe the leaves and stems with a sponge soaked in soapy water and then let dry.
- Spray the flower. Carry out the treatment on the balcony on a cloudy day at a temperature of +21…25 ℃, since at a lower temperature the effectiveness of the drug decreases.
- Perform preventive spraying of all plants in the house to prevent aphids from moving onto them.
- Re-treat the flowers several times at intervals of 5-7 days (depending on the recommendations in the instructions).
If the plant cannot be saved, discard it to avoid contaminating other flowers.
Biological methods
There is evidence that the smell of geranium repels aphids. For prevention purposes, you can take advantage of this feature and plant at least one bush of this flower in a pot. Among natural insecticides made from flower herbs, it is better to use, for example, Actofit. It protects and kills aphids thanks to the biological substance - aversectin C.
The drug is available as a liquid concentrate in bags and bottles. The treatment is carried out twice, with the second spraying performed after 2 weeks, when the larvae appear. Aphid eggs are immune to the insecticide.
Prevention of aphids
Proper plant care and compliance with the recommended preventive measures will help to avoid the appearance of aphids:
- periodically carry out preventive treatment of plants;
- Make sure to maintain the optimal temperature in the house, as insects settle in a stuffy, poorly ventilated room;
- keep new flowers in quarantine;
- install mosquito nets on all windows in the apartment;
- do not place bouquets of cut flowers (especially chrysanthemums and roses) near indoor plants;
- Soak the new soil for replanting in the cold for several days to destroy the larvae and eggs of pests.
To preserve indoor flowers, provide them with proper care, regularly inspect them to identify pests in a timely manner, and periodically carry out preventive treatment
Maintaining a favorable microclimate in the house, proper care of plants and compliance with preventive measures will help save indoor flowers from aphids. If you were unable to protect them from pests, start fighting when parasites are first detected, preventing the colony from growing. Mechanical treatment, folk remedies and chemicals can help in exterminating insects. The choice of control method depends on the scale of the disaster and individual preferences.
How to keep plants safe
Taking into account the fact that aphids can get on plants in various ways - from trees outside the window to bouquets that can be affected by the pest, it is important to take timely precautions.
- Only purchased flowers in pots are quarantined separately for a week. If the pest has not manifested itself, then you can put the plant in a permanent place.
- It is better not to place gifted bouquets with plants on the windowsill, especially if they are roses or chrysanthemums. Ideally, it should be rinsed with water before placing it indoors.
- Potted crops should be bathed and inspected regularly.
- The house needs to be constantly ventilated, as aphids love hot, stuffy and humid places.
- You should start eliminating ants, which often bring aphids into the house.
These simple preventative measures will help eliminate the main factors in infecting indoor plants with aphids.
Life cycle of aphids
It is impossible to describe the life cycle of aphids in a nutshell, because... The development of insects depends on their type: non-migratory, migratory and incomplete.
Non-migratory aphids
Representatives : cereal aphid, cabbage aphid, green apple aphid.
Fruit crops become the primary host. Insects go through the following stages of development.
- Egg . In this phase, aphids overwinter on perennial (less often biennial) plants.
- Founder . Hatches from an egg in spring. It has no wings, so it lives on the same plant where it appeared, continuing to feed on its juices. It is a virgin female and, through same-sex reproduction, gives birth to about 50 rapidly developing larvae.
- The Wingless Virgin . This is what the foundress larvae are called. At this stage of development, aphids are faced with the task of reproducing a number of more generations of identical individuals. Moreover, among the summer generations, the first insects with wings appear - winged virgins, or dispersers.
- Winged settler . The main goal of the insect at this stage of development is to ensure the movement of the colony, i.e. capture of new territories (plants of the same species or related species). There they form and increase new colonies through viviparity.
- Oviparous female and normal male . The first full-fledged males and females emerge from the larvae of winged dispersers in early autumn. They mate and the female lays several eggs for the winter.
Migrating aphids
Representatives : bird cherry aphid, beet aphid, cherry aphid, etc.
Migrating aphids, unlike non-migratory aphids, have not one, but several types of food plants. And this leads to more complex development of insects. Winged dispersers, as a result of asexual reproduction, give birth to virgin migrants, who, in turn, give birth to midges. The moths return to the primary host, reproduce asexually, and give birth to normal females and males, who mate and lay eggs.
Incomplete-cyclic (analocyclic) aphids
Representatives : blood aphid, tobacco (peach) aphid.
The peculiarity of this group of migrating aphids is that they do not have the opportunity to fully develop on their primary host. Most often this happens due to the lack of plants in the region that can provide the necessary nutrition to the founders. Such aphids immediately end up on a secondary host, where they begin to reproduce asexually, giving birth to generations of virgins unable to lay eggs.
The life cycle of incompletely cycled aphids consists of the following stages: egg, foundress, winged virgin, wingless virgin. Formed colonies die with the arrival of autumn.
