There are many types of aphids. Since almost all of them are harmful to plants, control is important. Is Vinegar a Good Option?
The most important things at a glance
Vinegar against aphids: natural pest control for healthy plants
Aphids (Aphidoidea) are among the most common plant pests. Since the vermin feed on the plant sap, they can cause serious damage to the plants within a short time. Leaves fall off, plant growth is stunted, and the plant is more susceptible to viruses and fungal diseases.
It is therefore important to combat aphids quickly and in a targeted manner. On the one hand, to protect the affected plant. And on the other hand, to prevent the pests from spreading to other plants.
The solution against aphids should be environmentally and plant-friendly. So, is vinegar an effective way to combat aphids?
Effect of vinegar against aphids
Aphids don’t die as soon as they come into contact with the acid – unlike chemical pesticides. Rather, the vermin are driven away by the vinegar treatment.
Why? Aphids is the home remedy too acidic. They prefer a sweet environment, so when they taste the acid on the leaves, they move away. Vinegar can therefore also ensure that the pests do not multiply and the infestation decreases.
Vinegar is therefore an effective and inexpensive means of combating aphids if the dose is right.
Preparation and application of vinegar solution against aphids
Danger
Because the acid in household vinegar is too highly concentrated. It could harm the plants and therefore needs to be diluted.
You can easily make the vinegar solution yourself. For a 5 liter vinegar solution you will need:
- 4.5 liters of water
- 0.5 liters of household vinegar
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If you need less vinegar solution, you can also reduce the water and vinegar. It is important that both liquids are mixed in a ratio of 9:1.
How to prepare the vinegar solution against aphids:
- Mix vinegar together with the water.
- Stir well.
- Put the vinegar solution in a spray bottle.
If the infestation is very severe, you can also add a splash of washing-up liquid to the mixture.
How to apply the vinegar solution against aphids:
- Spray the vinegar solution on all affected parts of the plant such as leaves, stems and shoots. Don’t forget the undersides of the leaves. All parts of the plant should be wetted – but only so that the leaves can dry quickly. Otherwise, fungal diseases can spread easily and quickly.
- Drizzle some of the vinegar solution into the soil to combat the pests hiding there.
Suitable types of vinegar
Since all types of vinegar are an acid, they all fight aphids. Theoretically. However, you should not use vinegar that contains other ingredients such as sugar or similar. Since the sugar attracts the aphids.
In addition, there is no need to use balsamic vinegar or any other expensive type of vinegar. Apple cider vinegar or brandy vinegar will do and are cheaper. But beware! Apple cider vinegar can attract fruit flies.
Detect aphid infestation
Before you use vinegar against aphids, you should check whether there really is an aphid infestation. The following signs indicate an aphid infestation:
- sticky layer on the plant
- white membranes on the plant parts
- yellow leaves
- dried leaves
- sheet deformation
- strong leaf curl
- curled leaves
- leaf reduction
- Blattfall
- stunted buds
- necrosis (dead plant cells)
- inhibited plant growth
- white, yellow, green, red-brown or black-brown spots on the plant, especially the underside of the leaves
It is important to combat an aphid infestation quickly so that the pests do not cause even more damage.
