The leaves curl up strangely, change color or even fall off - the damage is great, but the cause is tiny. Aphids not only infest outdoor plants, but also like to nest on indoor plants. Luckily, it can be combated entirely without chemicals. Read on this page how to get rid of the pests quickly.

In the case of a weak infestation, repeated showering is usually sufficient to get rid of the aphids

identify aphids

Use the following characteristics to identify the pests:

Appearance of the aphids

  • little animals, sometimes with wings, sometimes without wings
  • green, grey, yellow or brown bodies
  • between 3 to 7 mm in size
  • have a proboscis

symptoms on the plant

  • mealy coating on the leaves (honeydew)
  • ants in the apartment
  • small animals on the petioles and on the underside of the leaves
  • Leaves curl up
  • yellow discoloration of the leaves
  • dying of the plant

causes

The usual care mistakes are usually to blame for an aphid infestation. Above all, weakened plants are affected, as they cannot muster enough strength to ward off the pests on their own. This reduced immune defense testifies to unfavorable site conditions. Possible maintenance errors are

  • too high or too low humidity
  • wrong lighting conditions
  • wrong fertilization
  • wrong watering behavior

Note: Sometimes aphids are also brought in by new plants from the trade.

measures

Luckily, with early detection, it is possible to fight the aphids with simple, biological means.

beneficials

Beneficial insects are probably the most environmentally friendly and at the same time most effective method of combating aphids on indoor plants. The little animals feed on the pests without harming the plant. However, you should adapt the site conditions to the needs of the pest controllers. In stores you can get:

  • lacewings
  • hoverflies
  • flower bugs
  • parasitic wasps
  • or gall midges

shower off the plant

If the infestation is only slight, it already helps to shower the plant. Aim the jet primarily at the underside of the leaves, as this is where the aphids are in the foreground.
On the other hand, it is a bit tedious to pick off the animals manually. However, if the affected plant is a sensitive specimen that cannot tolerate excessive water, you are better off using this method.

tips

You can also blow off the aphids with a hair dryer or brush them off with a brush.

nettle brew

This home remedy is very easy to make:

  • Dip 100 g of nettles in 1 liter of water.
  • Boil the water and let it cool down well.
  • Let the liquid steep for two days.
  • Sieve the leaves.
  • Spray the brew onto the leaves with a squirt bottle.

tips

Here, too, you should treat the undersides of the leaves in particular. Can't find nettles? Alternatively, a spray solution based on neem or rapeseed oil can also be used.

yellow boards

Sometimes aphids can even fly. In this case, yellow stickers from specialist shops save you from having to collect them yourself. Hang the yellow boards in close proximity to the plant. Once the animals level up, they become stuck with a sticky film. You should therefore replace your yellow stickers after a while.

Category:

Indoor plants