If strawberries thrive in the balcony box, aphids are not far away. The sunny, warm conditions and juicy strawberry plants are paradise on earth for pests. To ensure that the pests don't spoil your fruity enjoyment, natural remedies are available. You can find out what these are here.
How do you fight aphids on strawberries on the balcony?
To naturally combat aphids on strawberries on the balcony, you can shower the plants with a strong jet of water or use soapy water before flowering. In addition, a mixed culture with student flowers (Tagetes) helps preventively against aphid infestation.
Just shower off aphids – this is how you do it right
If aphids attack balcony strawberries, chemical pesticides are taboo. Insecticides kill the pests. Of course, the carefree enjoyment of fruit also falls by the wayside. Reaching for the chemical club is unnecessary anyway, as a powerful jet of water ends the plague in no time. This is how it works:
- Cover the substrate of the box or bucket with foil in advance
- Shower strawberry plants from above with as strong a jet of water as possible
- Pour lime-free water into a spray bottle to shower the undersides of the leaves
The foil cover not only protects the substrate from excess water. In addition, falling aphids are caught and can be disposed of with household waste along with the film. Important: Experience has shown that a single shower is not enough to eliminate all aphids. Therefore, repeat the control measure until you no longer discover any lice on the strawberry plants.
Before flowering and fruit setting, soapy water helps against aphids
Home gardeners swear by soapy water against aphids on ornamental and crop plants. In the fight against pests on strawberry plants, the product is only recommended before the flowering period and fruit set begin. Nobody wants to eat strawberries with a soapy flavor. This is how you use the classic control agent professionally:
- Dissolve 50 grams of pure soft soap in 1 liter of water
- Add 1 teaspoon of rubbing alcohol and stir
- Fill soapy water into a hand sprayer
- Spray infected strawberry plants repeatedly while they are dripping wet before the flowering period begins
Aphids like to hide on the undersides of strawberry plants. Apply the product particularly thoroughly to these areas. As with all home remedies, a single application is not enough. Please repeat the soap treatment every 2 to 3 days until you no longer see any lice, even with a magnifying glass.
Tip
When planting strawberries and vegetables on the balcony, place marigolds between the plants. This not only looks beautiful, but also has a preventive effect against aphid infestation. Experience has shown that a mixed culture with marigolds keeps cunning aphids at bay.
