getbusygardening.com
Aphids are tiny bugs that feed on plants by sucking the sap out of the foliage, causing damage to the leaves and flower buds, and stunting their growth.
In most cases, aphids look like tiny green bugs, but they can also be red, brown, blue, yellow, etc. They’re easy to identify because they like to cluster on new tender growth, stems, and flower buds.
– Houseplants that spent the summer outside – Fresh flowers, herbs, or produce from your garden – A new houseplant you bought at the store – Through window screens or doors
Spray the leaves with a strong stream of water to rinse off all of the adults and nymphs that you see. Then wash your houseplant with a weak solution of mild liquid soap and water.
You can buy an organic insecticidal soap, or whip-up a batch of your own using this recipe: – 1 teaspoon of mild liquid soap – 1 liter tepid water
Treat your plants with Neem Oil every few weeks until you no longer see any of the bugs or nymphs.
Soak a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol, then dab it directly on the bugs. Or spray a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol and water on the leaves.
Whether you spot any winged adults or not, I recommend getting some yellow sticky traps to hang next to the infested plant to capture them.
– Check your houseplants – Quarantine new plants – Keep the leaves clean – Clean plants before moving them inside – Maintain healthy houseplants