Aphid Treatment Guide
About Aphids
Aphids are soft bodied, pear-shaped insects that are up to 4mm in size. When conditions are suitable adult aphids are usually wingless. It is only when conditions become unfavourable that winged aphids will develop in order to migrate to other plants. Most aphid populations are female and can reproduce without mating. Nymphs are born and begin feeding immediately as they moult through several growth stages progressing to an adult. Where conditions are favourable, particularly in Spring and Autumn, aphid populations can rapidly build.
Why are Aphids a problem?
Aphids feed from the sap of plants they do this by inserting their sucking tube into the plant and drawing out the sap. Aphids can cause significant damage to the plants they feed off, this is because the removal of the sap weakens the host plant and causes metabolic imbalance. This imbalance can result in a variety of symptoms including leaf deformation, leaf loss, stunted growth and reduced plant vigour. In addition to the direct damage aphids cause to plants they can also transmit plant viruses as well as attracting other pest insects into your garden that feed on the aphid.
Inspecting for Aphids
Carefully inspect plants for aphid activity:
- Focus on leaves that may look stunted in growth, deformed or diseased
- Check the underside of leaves, flowers, stems and immature foliage
- Firmly shake foliage over tray lined with paper and inspect for any dislodged aphids. You may also find moulted skins from the nymphs progressing through instars
- Use yellow sticky traps to monitor for winged aphids, inspect traps weekly
Pre-Treatment Measures
- Regularly weed garden
- Ensure plants are healthy by maintaining a regular fertiliser program such as UDOO’s Organic Garden Program
- Avoid regular use of fertilisers that are high in Nitrogen
- Plant “Banker Plants” that encourage beneficial organisms that attack aphids
Aphid Treatment
Option 1. Confidor Ready to Use Spray Bayer Confidor on foliage of infested plants thoroughly when insects are first seen or if insects re-appear. Spray underneath the leaves to kill pests which may be hiding out of sight.
Spraying Tips:
- For best results apply early morning or late afternoon
- Shake product well before use
- Do not spray on plants if it is raining or about to rain
- Do not spray on plants when soil is dry and plants are suffering from moisture stress
Do not spray if bees are feeding on flowering plants
Option 2. Pyrate Natural Insecticide Concentrate Mix 2mL of Pyrate Natural Insecticide Concentrate Into 1L of water and apply as a fine mist to fruit, vegetables and ornamentals. Pests must be contacted with spray. Monitor plants for surviving pests and reapply if necessary.
Always read product label prior to use.
