Aphids are common throughout the U.S. and quite common in Florida. They are small with pear-shaped bodies and range in color from a pale green to pink, yellow, red or black. Adult aphids are typically wingless but you will find winged aphids in areas of overcrowding. Aphids cluster on new growth or the underside of leaves to suck plant juices. Many plants can handle some aphid feeding but a large enough infestation can kill parts of a plant or the entire plant. As they feed, aphids release a sweet fluid called honeydew that attracts ants and causes black mold to grow on leaves. During the summer, aphids have a very short reproductive cycle and give birth to live young. Within a few weeks those young also begin to reproduce. Aphid infestations can quickly grow out of control and take over an entire garden.
Outdoor Pests: Avoiding Aphid Infestation
There are several things you can do to try to avoid an aphid infestation.
1. Attract or release beneficial bugs such as lacewings and ladybugs that like to eat aphids.
2. When you see aphids, use a strong blast of water from the hose to dislodge them from the plant they’re feeding on. Just be careful to avoid blasting them onto other plants nearby.
3. Use neem oil spray. Neem oil controls several garden pests and controls fungal growth on plants. NOTE: Neem oil spray is best used during the cooler months of the year. If used in the hot summer, the oil will scortch and burn the plant, causing damage and plant death.
4. Avoid using too much nitrogen when fertilizing your garden. Nitrogen can make plants grow faster, producing more of the new tender growth that aphids are attracted to.
5. Call in the lawn care professionals at Your Oasis Outdoor Care.
Aphids are a common and plentiful bug, especially in outdoor gardens. The best protection for aphids on your plants is lawn care service by Your Oasis Outdoor Care. We target aphids where they like to cluster and can help protect your garden from this plant-damaging pest. When you see aphids attacking your plants, just give us a call. We can handle aphids and all of your outdoor pests and lawn care needs.