Usually, when we think about aphids, we picture small, green insects on our plants. However, you may have noticed small, black insects in your garden and wonder what they are. Unfortunately, you might have an aphid infestation because these little buggers come in black as well. However, you need not worry because there are a few ways you can get rid of black aphids.
You can get rid of black aphids by using water, pesticides, and some oil sprays.
The black aphids are tiny pests stuck to your plant and do the same thing as other aphids, which is cause damage to the plants. Therefore, as soon as you spot these aphids, it is essential to get rid of them completely. You will find your plant leaves curling and notice stunted growth if you have an aphid infestation. However, with a little patience and consistency, you will get rid of them in no time.
How Do You Kill Black Aphids
It can be startling to see black aphids on your plants. However, you will be glad to know that there are a few ways you can get rid of them. Black aphids are no different from other kinds, so methods that work for other aphids will also work for them.
Here are a few ways you can tackle the black aphids in your garden:
Water
An effective way to handle your aphid problem is to use water. Yes, they seem like a useless solution at first, but it works! For example, if you notice signs of an early aphid infestation, you can use a water hose to hose down the aphids. The strong water pressure will kill most of the aphids. Moreover, during an early infestation, you may only need to hose down aphids, to solve the issue.
Pesticides
If you wish to get rid of the aphids fast and in one go, you can use chemical pesticides. These chemicals will ensure to kill aphids, and you will not be required to be consistent with them. However, many people do not like the thought of exposing their gardens to chemicals.
The chemical is great for a short-term solution. However, the harshness can affect plants causing them to burn. In addition, the chemicals will not work for you if you have an organic garden. Fortunately, there are some natural pesticides that you can use for your garden.
There are natural pesticides that are made from pure ingredients and will not cause harm to your plants. Some of these pesticides include diatomaceous earth, neem oil spray, and soap spray.
Use Your Hands
Sometimes, when it comes to aphids, you have to take the matter into your own hands. These pesky little pests may be persistent, but you can handle the problem if you detect it early. Therefore, it is important to keep a check on your plants and monitor them for aphids.
Aphids are usually found hiding on the underside of leaves. Therefore, it is important to be thorough in your search for aphids. When the infestation is at the beginning stage, you will not find many, and the ones you do, you can pick with your own hands. Some people can find touching insects icky. However, people who do not mind creepy crawlies can use this method.
Does Soapy Water Kill Black Aphids?
Quite a popular way to tackle pests is to use soapy water. For example, you will be glad to know that a simple way to kill black aphids is to use soapy water.
In addition to killing black aphids, soapy water will also kill ants. When you are dealing with black aphids, it is important to kill ants as they nurture aphids. Aphids produce a sweet liquid which ants love. Hence, ants like to keep aphids safe and alive for the nectar, leading to aphid infestations.
If you deal with black aphids, you can create your soapy water mix to kill them. For the mix, you must use Castille soap as it is natural. Other soaps can come off as too harsh, causing problems to plants. First, mix the soap well with some water to make a mix. Then, you can spray the soap in generous amounts on your plants, ensuring that you reach the underside of the leaves.
To see good results, it is important to remain consistent and patient. You can use soapy water on your plants at least twice a week.
How to Prevent Black Aphid Infestation
We are aware that dealing with a black aphid infestation can be an issue. However, if you have not experienced an aphid infestation yet, there are a few preventative measures you can take to avoid it.
To avoid the black aphid infestation, the first thing you must do is to ensure all your plants are at their best. Aphids tend to attack weak plants, which is why any frail plant can fall prey to aphids easily.
Next, you can also encourage natural aphid predators in your garden or introduce them. For instance, ladybugs are one of those insects which feed on aphids. Therefore, you can purchase some ladybugs for your garden, so the aphid population remains under control.
A way to avoid aphids in your garden is to grow plants which they hate. For example, you can place the more vulnerable plants near plants like garlic, chives, and onions. These plants have strong scents and are excellent at deterring aphids.
Summary
If you are noticing black insects on your plants, they may be black aphids. These aphids are the same as others and will cause damage to your garden. There are a few ways you can get rid of black aphids. The first obvious way is to use chemical pesticides. Moreover, you can use water to hose down aphids or remove them by hand.
Another effective method of getting rid of aphids is using soapy water. Soapy water kills not only aphids but also other insects like ants. With these methods, it is important to remain consistent to see successful results.
