I’m going to share a very effective, cheap, and easiest way to get rid of aphids within two days. This method is 100% effective against aphids and ants. I’m also sharing the day-by-day updates from my own plant.
This is one of my favorite plants, a chilli plant. I harvest about twenty to twenty-five hot chilies every couple of months, even though it is grown in an 8 inch terracotta pot. Suddenly I noticed aphids and ants mostly on the flowers, which was decreasing the fruit production.
1. Organic Aphid Control: The Problem
Ants are not harmful for plants at all because they help in the pollination process. Aphids are the garden thug. They are tiny sticky insects that stick on plant stems and leaves, mostly around the flower buds, and they suck the sap from plants and feed themselves.
They can be green or black in color. They reproduce rapidly, and a large number of them can cause intensive damage to plants. Aphids also attract ants because aphids produce a sugary substance referred to as honeydew, and that honeydew works as food for ants.
If you notice aphids on your plant, you will also notice ants. On my plant I got lots of aphids and ants, so it was time to rescue the plant. I’m sharing a cheapest, very effective homemade pesticide that really works against aphids and ants, along with three days of updates.
2. Organic Aphid Control: Homemade Pesticide
Ingredients
To make the pesticide you need garlic and cinnamon. You can easily find them in your kitchen. I use 1 clove of garlic and four cinnamon sticks, and you can also use ground cinnamon.
Their measurement is up to you. If you have lots of ants and aphids, then increase the quantity. This flexibility makes it easy to scale for bigger infestations.
Preparation
Put the garlic and cinnamon in a plastic container, plastic bottle, plastic cup, or glass jar. Add some water, cover it, and leave it for four to five days. After five days all the flavor of garlic and cinnamon will be released into the water.
I crush the garlic and cinnamon because that increases the flavor extraction rate. The solution will look darker and aromatic when ready. That is the base you will dilute for spraying.
Dilution and Spray Mix
From this solution, add around two teaspoons to one liter of clear water. Only add the water of garlic and cinnamon and do not add the coarse or solid pieces, because they could get stuck in the spray pipe. Then add detergent powder, any brand, at around 1/2 teaspoon per liter.
Do not mix lots of detergent, because detergent is alkaline in nature and a high concentration can burn the plant. Install the spray head. Mix all the ingredients together well before spraying.
How to Spray
Spray all over your plants. Cover the buds, flowers, and fruits, and spray on both sides of the leaves. Spray every part of the plant thoroughly.
3. Organic Aphid Control: Results in 3 Days
Day 1
I sprayed the pesticide around the buds, flowers, and fruits, and on both sides of the leaves. I covered every part of this plant. I used this pesticide three times on the first day.
Day 2
The next day the ants were gone and aphids had turned black. All the aphids died and turned black. I did not stop spraying because some ants were still running on the plant, so I used this spray about two times on the second day.
Day 3
On the third day aphids and ants were fully washed out. The leaves turned so green and shiny. This pesticide worked 100% and it’s homemade and non-toxic.
Why It Works
This pesticide is made with detergent, garlic, and cinnamon. Detergent actually kills the aphids by burning the aphids’ outer shell, and they turn black. Aphids and ants do not like the flavor of garlic and cinnamon, so these elements help to keep them away from the plant.
All the ingredients I used are organic and non-toxic, so they won’t cause any harm to the plant. The mix targets the pests while keeping the plant safe. It is simple to make and simple to apply.
Read More: How to eliminate scale insects on plants
4. Organic Aphid Control: Ongoing Use
This pesticide is also effective against mealybugs, spider mites, and whiteflies. You can use this pesticide twice a week. Spray your plants in the morning and in the evening.
For a broader routine that keeps common soft-bodied pests down, see this weekly control for mealybugs, aphids, and whiteflies. Consistency helps prevent re-infestation. Keep checking the undersides of leaves and new growth.
5. Organic Aphid Control: Final Thoughts
A simple garlic-cinnamon infusion with a small amount of detergent can clear aphids and ants within two to three days. It is cheap, quick to prepare, and safe for your plants when diluted properly. I think this will be helpful.
If your leaves stay pale after pests are gone, address nutrient issues early. Read More: Treatments for chlorosis and yellow leaves