Aphids

Pests Guide

Signs of the Pest

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New leaves distorted or yellow

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Foliage and stems covered in sooty mould

Solutions to the Pest

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Marigolds and Nasturtium can be companion planted to deter aphids from your veggie garden

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Use garlic spray to deter pests.

Crush 5-6 cloves of garlic and pour over 1 litre of boiling water.

Leave to cool and strain into a spray bottle.

If you add a teaspoon of liquid soap, this can help the spray stick onto the leaves.

Spray this liberally onto your plants and repeat in a couple of days time.

There is no danger of overdosing garlic spray so reapply whenever you like!

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Attract natural enemies with flowering plants.

Ladybirds and the larvae of hover flies are avid aphid eaters.

The adult flies feed on the nectar of French marigolds, nasturtiums and poppies, so plant these among the plants aphids might damage.

Put out food to encourage birds.

Yarrow, dill, and fennel all attract lacewings and ladybugs, which feed on aphids

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Put silver foil on the ground between rows of low plants – it confuses aphids and stops them landing on those plants.

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Grow resistant plant varieties.

Topweight is a carrot variety that tolerates aphids.

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If the plant isn't fragile, hose it to wash off aphids