Aphids show no mercy when weakened balcony plants cross their path. Within a few days, shoots and leaves are covered in the penetrant pests. The sooner balcony gardeners launch a counterattack, the more effective the fight will be. Reaching out to chemical weapons is usually unnecessary. This is how you should act correctly when dealing with aphid infestations on balcony plants.
How do you fight aphids on balcony plants?
To combat aphids on balcony plants, isolate the affected plants and remove the pests with a strong jet of water. Alternatively, you can use a spray made from water, soft soap and spirit or a nettle broth. For sensitive plants, algae lime, rock dust or wood ash can be used.
Detecting aphid infestations in good time - tips on the symptoms
The earlier you start combating aphids, the better the chances of survival for affected balcony plants. The following symptoms indicate pest infestation:
- Curled leaf edges
- Sticky coating on the undersides of the leaves
- Stunted flowers, shoots and leaves
- Yellow spots on the leaves
Fight aphids successfully with home remedies - this is how it works
If you have discovered aphids, infected balcony plants should first be quarantined. If the insects sense trouble, a winged generation develops in no time and migrates to neighboring plants. In isolation, target the plant lice with the following home remedies:
- Shower off aphids with as strong a jet of water as possible – even overhead
- Spray made from 1 liter of water and 2 to 3 tablespoons of pure soft soap plus 1 tablespoon of spirit
- Alternatively, buy ready-to-use soap products from Neudosan (€39.00 on Amazon) and spray on repeatedly
You can make a powerful remedy against aphids from the fresh leaves of non-flowering nettle plants. To do this, pour 1 liter of boiling water over 100 grams of nettle leaves and let the brew steep for 24 hours. Then strain the broth and dilute it with water in a ratio of 1:10. At intervals of 2 to 3 days, spray the entire plant until dripping wet, including the undersides of the leaves.
Aphid-infested balcony plants cannot tolerate spray mist - what to do?
Fighting aphids with water-based sprays is counterproductive if fungal diseases, such as mildew, are already rampant on the balcony. Damp leaves and shoots attract all kinds of fungal spores, so a dry control method comes into focus. A powder syringe or a hand brush is required to apply the following products:
- Algae lime (effective against aphids and fungal diseases at the same time)
- Rock flour
- Pure wood ash
Ideally pollinate the aphid-infested balcony plants in the early morning when the leaves are moist from dew drops.
Tip
Before wintering in the cellar, please examine your balcony plants with a magnifying glass for aphids and their eggs. In late summer, the last females produce numerous eggs, which they hide well on the undersides of the leaves or in the leaf axils.