If your garden plants’ leaves are yellowing or distorted and there’s a black sticky substance called honeydew on the undersides of leaves, you might have an aphid infestation. Before your blooms fail, learn how to get rid of aphids on petunias.
Aphids are garden pests that feed on a variety of greens, and the sticky substance an infestation secretes can cause black sooty mold and attract ants that collect the excrement for food. Many species of aphids enjoy feasting on vegetable patches and flowers.
Your go-to response might be to spray a steady stream of bottled organic insecticidal soap to kill the insects. However, homemade remedies that don’t require a trip to the store.
How to Kill Aphids on Petunias
In this guide, we explain the natural cures to make at home. Learn how to get rid of aphids on petunias using tricks like companion planting and introducing natural predators to eat the insects as well.
If you already have an aphid infestation, it’s essential to learn how to kill aphids on petunias before they take over your garden plants. Aphids can destroy a garden.
However, the best natural way to kill aphids doesn’t include dangerous chemicals. Learn how to get rid of aphids on petunias using natural homemade options.
Home Remedy for Aphids on Petunias – Soapy Water
The best way to learn how to get rid of aphids on petunias is with a simple home remedy of soapy water. Liquid dish soap is a perfect natural bug spray for plants, particularly if they’re on a single petunia plant or your rose bushes.
To get rid of red aphids on tomato plants, or other types of aphids on any other plants, add the dish soap directly into the spray bottle and fill the rest of the way with water. Shake the bottle to combine thoroughly. Ensure the spray of water hits both the bugs and the affected area, then rinse the plant with water.
How to Kill Aphids on Petunias with the Garden Hose
Perhaps the easiest home remedy for aphids on petunias outside is to spray the undersides of the leaves with a strong stream from your garden hose.
Select a high-quality sprayer to blast the insects free from the plants using a stream of water. Be sure to spray them in the morning so the leaves have plenty of drying time in the sunlight.
How to Get Rid of Pests with Neem Oil
Neem oil is the choice for many organic gardeners. It comes from a tree called Azadirachta Indica, and the oil is standard in natural products like soap and cosmetics.
The oil also offers antifungal and insecticidal properties ideal for homemade spider mite control, among other garden pests. Follow the directions on the bottle for safety.
Most pure neem oil sprays use a teaspoon of the oil, ½ teaspoon of dish soap, and a quart of water. Use a spray bottle to apply the oil to the soil of your petunias or as one of the best home remedies for aphids on roses.
The plants absorb it through the ground, which keeps aphids from feeding on the leaves and the larvae from maturing. Directly spraying the aphids causes suffocation.
Learn How to Get Rid of Aphids on Petunias for Good
Protect your plants with aggressive measures before pest prey on them. Use these methods to get rid of aphids for good.
Plant Petunias Away from Vegetables
Protect your petunias by planting the flowers aphids prefer to feast on in a different location. The further petunias, zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, mums, nasturtiums, dahlias, and calendula are from your vegetable garden, the better.
The garden pests will head to them rather than attack your fastest growing plants and veggies, making them ideal for aphid control.
Killing Aphids on Petunias with Companion Planting
Growing some plants together in your garden helps them mutually benefit. Strong-smelling plants like garlic, onions, and chives may protect your petunias. They repel bugs.
Introduce Natural Predators to Your Garden
Introduce natural enemies to your garden that feast on aphids. They control aphid populations for you, giving you more time to focus on killing off any garden pests you do see.
Beneficial insects for aphids include lacewings, ladybugs, and parasitic wasps. Attract them to your garden with garden plants like mint, dill, dandelions, fennel, or yarrow.
Purchase ladybugs from your local garden store. Lady beetles love to feast on aphids before they lay eggs. You may also try attracting bug-eating types of birds to your garden with a birdhouse, feeder, bath, or shrubbery.
Homemade natural cures are the perfect way to get rid of aphids. They’re safe enough for young children to help in the garden, and you don’t have to worry about anything you spray hurting your pets. These options are also available in most homes already.
What other natural remedies do you use for killing aphids on petunias? If you enjoyed learning how to get rid of aphids on petunias, please feel free to share our aphid infestation tips with your family and friends on Pinterest or Facebook.