Plant lice and how to get rid of them - instructions for aphid control

Contents

1.  
2. plant or aphids  are small insects that feed on young and succulent parts of the plant, most often the leaves.
   1. Aphids
   2. Aphid control
   3. Destruction of aphids
   4. Aphids on flowers
   5. Aphids on roses
   6. Aphids on hibiscus
   7. Aphids on lemon
   8. Aphids on peppers
   9. Aphids on cucumbers

 

plant or aphids  are small insects that feed on young and succulent parts of the plant, most often the leaves.

We find them everywhere where plants are present, in flower beds, vegetable gardens and backyards. 

They multiply quickly and can cause great damage . 

Learn how to control aphids below .

Aphids

Plant or aphids are small insects up to 4 millimeters in size , which may or may not have wings. 

Adult forms have antennae on the head of the tubule at the occiput. 

Often their bodies are covered with wax or hair. They feed on plant juices from leaves or flower buds. 

They are often found on leaves and are named after them.

They occur when the weather is warm and dry or after heavy rains. 

The optimal temperature for the growth of plant lice is 20 - 28 ºC , and the air humidity is around 60%. 

On plants can cause :

✔growth retardation,

✔leaf curling,

✔yellow, black and brown leaves,

✔secretion of honeydew which attracts fungi and ants that feed on it,

✔irregularity in fruit growth,

✔release of toxins into the plant,

✔the appearance of soot fungi,

✔introduction of plant viruses into the plant - through the oral apparatus or ✔directly from the saliva of plant lice.

Aphids reproduce very quickly and can attack large areas of plants in a short time. 

Each aphid can produce 3-10 new individuals a day , and this can take up to 4 weeks. 

They appear several times a year. They can be of different colors:

✔black,

✔Brown,

✔gray,

✔green,

✔white,

✔pink.

Aphid control

Plant lice can be solved in several ways:

✔using chemical preparations,

✔naturally.

Chemical preparations for controlling plant lice are called pesticides . 

However, the use of pesticides is sought to be avoided and there are many natural methods that work. These are:

methods of rinsing and physical removal of aphids - the affected leaves, parts and stems can be cut off, rinsed with water or sprayed with sugar juice to wash the plant lice off or stick to the plant,

preparations of useful plants such as nettle or Dalmatian pyrethrum - these plants are a source of natural pesticides,

planting useful plants near plants that attack plant lice - such as lavender , coriander or calendula ,

the use of insects and birds as natural defense mechanisms against aphids - ladybugs, flies or bed bugs,

aphid preparations - from ash, soap or alcohol.

Destruction of aphids

Natural preparations for controlling plant lice can be easily made and used.

Milk against aphids of  nettle :

1. Fill a large bowl with nettle leaves,

2. cover the nettle with water and the net with netting,

3. if the solution starts to foam, add a handful of lime,

4. use fertilizer to water the plants, mixed with water in a ratio of 1:10, every 3 to five days.

Preparation of a solution with soap against plant lice (for non-edible plants):

✔50 mL of dish detergent is added to 4L of water to spray the plants, especially the underside of the leaves.

Preparation of alcohol and soap solution:

1. buy 70% alcohol,

2. mix 2 cups of alcohol with 5 glasses of water and a few drops of dish detergent,

3. before use on the whole plant, try how 1 leaf reacts with this solution, within a few days of application.

Tobacco preparation :

✔you can take cigar ash and sprinkle the ground around the aphid-infested plant,

✔tobacco leaves can be used to make tea by soaking it in warm water for three hours, adding a little dish detergent and spraying the plant.

Wormwood preparation :

✔30 grams of dried wormwood is poured with 10 liters of water and left overnight,

✔with this preparation the plant is treated by spraying or watering in a ratio of 1:10 to water.

In places where you want to protect plants you can plant :

✔plants that plant lice "prefer" - loboda, great jelly, common beans,

✔aphid repellent plants - marigold, nettle , Dalmatian pyrethrum, lavender .

Aphids on flowers

Aphids often attack beautiful ornamental and balcony flowers . 

Balcony flowers are not in direct contact with other plants, 

so they are especially sensitive to parasites such as plant lice, which quickly deplete nutrients.

Aphids on roses

Plant lice like to attack beautiful and delicate roses , especially in the summer months. Attacking:

✔flower buds,

✔sheets,

✔flower petals.

The rose aphid is called Macrosiphum rosae.

Roses infested with plant lice can:

✔have curled sheets,

✔develop irregular shoots on the stem,

✔stop growing.

Aphids on hibiscus

Hibiscus or Japanese rose has long been known as a beautiful ornamental flower. 

It is often attacked by peach green lice M. 

persicae which are a common parasite in orchards . 

This plant aphid also attacks:

✔roses,

✔carnations,

✔chrysanthemums,

✔oleander,

✔poppies.

Aphids on lemon

Citrus fruits in orchards are attacked by thyroid moth and aphids . Cause:

✔leaf curling,

✔fruit deformation,

✔reduction of assimilation area on leaves,

✔reducing the price of fruit in the market.

Aphids on peppers

Plant lice are serious parasites on peppers . 

They can destroy the whole plant and its fruits in a very short time.

When it comes to plants with edible fruits, it is not wise to spray plant lice with soap or detergent solutions . 

Such spraying can destroy the fruits themselves, or poison the people and animals that feed on them.

Aphids on cucumbers

Cucumbers are a delicate vegetable that grows in the warmer times of the year , favorable for the development of plant lice.

Aphids often gather in parts of the vegetable garden that are exposed to the wind. 

The increased presence of ladybugs indicates the possible development of aphids on the leaves, especially on the underside.