DIY Aphid Spray Recipes: Homemade Remedies for Garden & House Plants

Aphid sprays are formulated to kill or eliminate the small insects called aphids that infest on plants. They basically survive on the plant’s sap and deplete its nutritional value. They also affect the physical structure of the leaves and stem causing stunted growth and various other issues. Commercial aphid sprays may contain chemicals and can affect the other insects like bugs that kill the aphids.

This may further increase the number of aphids in your region. Instead, you can make a natural homemade aphid spray using a few readily available ingredients. This article talks about how to make natural spray for aphids and also discusses some home remedies to kill aphids in detail.

Why Choose a Natural Aphid Spray?

Choosing a natural aphid killer or spray is recommended because of the following reasons:

• Artificial aphid sprays may contain chemicals such as pesticides that degrade the plant’s health and soil nutrition.
• They may also be harmful for bugs and other insects that kill nuisance like aphids. This eventually leads to an increased population of the aphids.
• Natural aphid sprays are easy-to-make and as effective as the synthetic ones. They also cost you less money.
  
  
  
  
• Finally, the homemade aphid sprays won’t degrade the nutritional value of the crops and neither do they cause any type of environmental contamination.

Types of Aphids & Their Damage to Plants

These are the types of aphids you will find along with details on their impact on plants:

• Apple aphids or Aphis Pomi are mostly found on green apple trees. Though they feed on leaves and young shoots, they don’t cause any significant damage when they are less in number. However, larger numbers can stunt plant growth and also affect the quality of apples.
  
  
  
  
• Pea aphids usually affect legume crops and are often seen in pink or green varieties. They secrete a honeydew like substance which promotes mould growth on the crops.
• Green peach aphids usually grow on peach trees but can also affect crops like potatoes. Apart from feeding on the leaves they also contaminate the plants by spreading viruses.

There are around 5000 species of aphids, most of which damage the plant’s quality and growth brutally. They infest all types of plants including roses, hibiscus, tomatoes, mint, basil, indoor plants, fruit trees, and more. You must act early to protect your plants from getting completely damaged.

How to Prevent Aphids Naturally

Here’s how you can prevent the growth of aphids naturally in your farm or garden:

• Encourage the growth of insects such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies in your garden. They feed on aphids and control their population and nuisance naturally.
• Don’t over-fertilise your crops and especially avoid the ones containing the nitrogen. These fertilisers make plants more appetising for the aphids and therefore, you must use them sparingly.
  
  
  
  
• Practice companion planting by using garlic, marigolds, chives, and nasturtiums. Their strong smell acts as an aphid deterrent and protects the health of your crops.
• Attach sticky traps or aluminium foil around the base of crops. They reflect the sunlight on the leaves which automatically helps to ward off different varieties of aphids that infest on your plants.

4 Best Homemade Aphid Spray Recipes

Now let’s check how to make DIY aphid sprays at home. These simple recipes will not only protect your plants but also maintain their quality and nutritional value. Some of the best homemade aphid spray recipes have been shared below:

1. Neem Oil Aphid Spray for All-Purpose Garden Use

Neem oil has a strong smell and natural insect-repelling properties. So, using it in your natural aphid sprays is a great idea. The ingredients and recipe for this natural aphid deterrent have been shared below:

Ingredients:

• Neem Oil - 5ml (use up to 3ml for aphid prevention and 5ml for infested plants)
• Dish Soap (Biodegradable) - 3ml
• Water water - 1 litre

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Take one litre of warm water and mix dish soap and neem oil in it.
2. Mix the liquid well and pour into a spray bottle.
3. Your DIY aphid spray is ready to be used now!

Suitable For:
Vegetables, roses, and fruit trees
Targets aphids, mealybugs, and whiteflies.

2. Garlic and Chili Aphid Spray for Leafy Plants

Garlic and chili act as strong insect repellents that not only deter aphids but also other insects. The entire homemade pesticide for aphids recipe along with the ingredients are listed below:

Ingredients:

• Warm water - 1 litre
• Garlic Cloves - 6 (crushed)
• Chili Pepper - 10 to 12 (sliced thinly)
• Dish Soap (Biodegradable) - 1 tbsp.

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Mix the top three ingredients first and leave the mixture aside for at least a day.
2. Now, add a tablespoon of biodegradable dish soap into the mixture and stir it well. It helps the mixture to stick on the plant.
3. Strain the liquid and fill it into a spray bottle. Your homemade aphid spray is now ready to be used!

Suitable For:
Cabbage, lettuce, spinach, and herbs
Works well against aphids, greenfly, and caterpillars.

3. Castile Soap Aphid Spray for Delicate Flowers

You can also use castile soap for creating a natural solution for aphids. The entire recipe along with the ingredients for making this homemade spray for aphids on hibiscus and other flowering plants is shared below:

Ingredients:

• Castile Soap (In pure liquid form) - 15ml
• Water - 1 litre

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Mix both the ingredients well and then pour the solution in a spray bottle.
2. Use this castile soap spray to protect your delicate flowers from different varieties of aphids.

Suitable For:
Orchids, daisies, marigolds, and petunias
Best for delicate petals as it removes greenfly and soft-bodied insects too

4. Vinegar and Essential Oil Aphid Spray for Ornamental Plants

The combination of vinegar and essential oils can prove to be a powerful homemade insecticide for aphids. The list of ingredients and step-by-step recipe to make the best homemade aphid spray have been shared below:

Ingredients:

• Vinegar - 300 ml
• Water - Thrice as much (Up to 1000 ml or 1 litre)
• Peppermint or Clove Essential Oil - 5 to 6 drops

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Mix one part of vinegar with three parts of water and add a few drops of essential oil in the end.
2. Fill the liquid into a spray bottle and give it a rigorous shake to mix all the ingredients well.
3. Your homemade aphid killer recipe is now ready!

Suitable For:
Shrubs, bonsai, and decorative garden plants
Acts as both a repellent and a cleaner for leaves

Plants That Benefit from Homemade Aphid Sprays

Here are some details on different types of homemade aphid sprays and their uses against aphids that grow on specific types of plants:

How to Apply Homemade Aphid Sprays for Maximum Effectiveness

To use a homemade aphid killer spray effectively, follow these steps:

• As your natural aphid spray can contain essential oils and other powerful ingredients, it is best to wear a protective gear while spraying the plants. The protective gear consists of gloves, face shield, and full clothing.
• To minimise the damage to the plant, use the DIY homemade aphid spray either early in the morning or late in the evening. This prevents the aphid infestation without causing any damage to the plants.
  
  
  
  
• Cover the entire plant and pay extra attention to the leaves. The aphid varieties are often spotted on the underside of the leaves. So, don’t forget to spray the underside of the leaves as well.
• Use a natural aphid spray on a small plant or small section of a plant before using it for all the plants. It will help you understand whether the natural aphid pesticide is too powerful or ineffective or perfect as per your expectations.

Conclusion

These were some insights and natural homemade aphid spray recipes for you. We hope you liked them and shall try them on your garden or farm plants. Always get the natural oils and other ingredients from a trusted source like VedaOils. At VedaOils, you will get all the natural ingredients to make DIY homemade aphid pesticide at wholesale rates. Visit the official portal of VedaOils for more information on the organic products and ingredients!

You May Also Like

• Best DIY Bug Spray Recipe
• Insecticidal Soap Recipe – DIY in 6 Easy Steps
• DIY Essential Oil Spray Recipe for Natural Garden Pest Control
• Turmeric Powder for Plants – Benefits & Ways to Use
• Neem Oil For Plants – Natural Remedy For Controlling Pests