Pests & diseases › Aphids
Aphids
Tiny sap-sucking insects in green, black, gray or pink. Cluster on shoot tips and leaf undersides. Sticky honeydew below.
Symptoms
- Curled or distorted young leaves
- Sticky honeydew on leaves and stems
- Sooty black mold growing on honeydew
- Ants farming the aphids
- Stunted shoot tips
Lifecycle
Active spring through fall across most zones. Females reproduce without mating — populations explode in warm spells.
What to do
- Strong jet of water early in the day
- Hand-squish small colonies
- Encourage ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies — plant alyssum and yarrow
- Insecticidal soap, hit leaf undersides
- Neem oil spray
If it's bad
- Pyrethrin sprays for heavy infestations
- Avoid systemic neonicotinoids on flowering crops bees visit
Stop it coming back
- Don't overfeed nitrogen — soft growth attracts them
- Inspect nursery plants before planting
- Companion plant with chives, garlic, nasturtiums
Crops it goes for
Acorn Squash (Pumpkin)
Apple
Apricot
Arugula
Asian Pear
Asparagus
Basil
Beefsteak Tomato
Beetroot
Blackberry
Blueberry (Northern Highbush)
Blueberry (Rabbiteye)
Bok Choy
Broccoli
Brussels Sprouts
Butternut Squash (Pumpkin)
Cabbage
Cantaloupe
Carrot
Cauliflower
Celeriac
Celery
Cherry (Sour)
Cherry (Sweet)
Cherry Tomato
Chives
Cilantro
Collard Greens
Cranberry
Cucumber
Dill
Early Season Tomato
Edamame
Eggplant
Elderberry
Endive & Escarole
Fava Bean
Fennel
Fig
Garlic
Giant Pumpkin (Squash)
Globe Artichoke
Gooseberry
Heat Tolerant Tomato
Heirloom Tomato
Hot Chilli
Hubbard Squash (Pumpkin)
Jack-O'-Lantern Pumpkin (Squash)
Kale
Kiwi (Fuzzy)
Kiwi (Hardy Kiwiberry)
Kohlrabi
Leek
Lettuce
Main Season Tomato
Medium Chilli
Mild Chilli
Mulberry
Mustard Greens
Napa Cabbage
Nectarine
Okra
Oregano
Ornamental Pumpkin (Squash)
Parsley
Parsnip
Passionfruit
Paste Tomato
Patio Tomato
Pawpaw
Pea
Peach
Pear
Pie Pumpkin (Squash)
Plum (European)
Plum (Japanese)
Pomegranate
Quince
Radicchio
Radish
Raspberry (Red)
Raspberry (Yellow/Gold)
Red Skin Potato
Rosemary
Russet Baking Potato
Rutabaga
Sage
Shallot
Snap Bean
Specialty Chilli
Spinach
Strawberry
Summer Squash (Pumpkin)
Super Hot Chilli
Sweet Bell Pepper
Sweet Corn
Sweet Potato
Swiss Chard
Thyme
Tomatillo
Turnip
Watermelon
Zucchini (Courgette)
Plan the plot, track every sowing, cook the harvest
Sowing reminders and harvest forecasts for your own frost dates, the Seed Tin, Scan Centre for any label or packet, and the Potty Mouth Garden Club. Free to start.