Aphids on petunias: how to get rid of. All methods of struggle

Petunia flowers are striking in their diversity. These multi-colored gramophones differ in size, bright colors, they are grown as indoor plants, planted in balcony boxes and hanging pots, in city and country flower beds. What all varieties have in common is that they are stunningly beautiful, undemanding in care and are distinguished by abundant flowering. But no one is immune from the appearance of harmful insects, you may also encounter them when growing petunias. One of these insects is aphid. Aphids on petunias appear imperceptibly and multiply rapidly, so if you do not start the fight in time, they will quickly move to neighboring plants, and it will be much more difficult to remove them.

Aphids on petunias: signs of a pest

Aphids on petunia: pest photo

It is much easier to deal with aphids on petunias if you spot them early. But since the pest is very small and, moreover, prefers to settle on the seamy side of the leaf, it is not easy to notice its appearance. To do this, you need to regularly inspect the plants, then there is a chance to notice aphids in the first days after emergence.

But even if you do not have time for regular inspection, then you can detect the appearance of such a pest as aphids on petunias by the following signs:

• petunia practically stops growing.
• the buds do not bloom, they dry and crumble.
• the leaves turn yellow, then curl and begin to dry.
• all the plant withers and begins to dry out gradually.

If, having found all these signs in your petunia, you look at the seamy side of the leaves and the stem, you will see small dots. Depending on the type of aphid, it can be white, green, red or almost black. A colony can start with a single insect and quickly overwhelm the entire plant. In August, not only winged females appear, but also males. Now the aphids will be able to lay eggs that are able to overwinter and next year everything will start again. Therefore, it is necessary to try to destroy aphids quickly and permanently using various methods.

Aphids on petunias: how to get rid of? Choice of method

Aphids on petunia: pest photo

There are really many methods, they are different and each gardener has his own preferences. Someone prefers not to mess with chemicals and fight aphids with folk remedies. Other gardeners prefer not to waste time preparing infusions and decoctions, but to use a store-bought insecticide. The most effective is always the physical method of dealing with aphids on petunias - you can simply transfer the aphids or wash them off the plants with a strong stream of water. But this method can only be used if the affected area is very small. How many people, so many opinions, and as a result, only you can make the choice. But in order to make the right choice, you need to familiarize yourself with all the options, so let's take a closer look at all the methods of dealing with aphids.

Aphids on petunias: biological control methods

This method can always be used, without waiting for an aphid attack, it is suitable for all crops that need to be protected and does not require the preparation of infusions and decoctions. It consists in planting pungent-smelling plants nearby. Aphids and ants, which often provide their transportation, do not tolerate the strong pungent odors of some plants and this must be used.Therefore, in order to reduce the risk of aphids, plant velvet or calendula, garlic or onions, any spicy herbs (mint, parsley, thyme, rosemary), mustard or tobacco next to the petunia.

If we are talking about a room petunia, then you can place it next to a geranium, this plant also has a rather strong specific smell and can protect others from aphids.
Hybrid petunias are capable of dealing with aphids. She also gladly settles on the plant, but dies almost immediately.

Folk recipes for combating aphids on petunias

Most popular recipes are based on strong-smelling products and adding soap to the solution. The soap makes the composition more sticky and allows it to stay on the leaves longer, as well as "glue" the aphids, making it difficult for them to move and feed. The simplest solution can be prepared by diluting fifty grams of laundry or tar soap in a liter of warm water - they are the most effective. Although experience shows that at the initial stage of the appearance of aphids, any soap can be used, the main thing is to process it every 3-4 days. If you are treating an indoor or balcony plant, then make sure that the soap solution does not get on the soil.

If you add a tablespoon of soda to such a solution, then it will become even more effective and cope with aphids in a day. But after a few days, it is necessary to re-process, since any solution destroys only adult insects, it does not affect the larvae.

Instead of soda, mustard powder or pepper, tobacco dust or ash, ammonia or vinegar can be added to the soap solution - all these solutions will be very effective in the fight against aphids.

You can also prepare an infusion from strong-smelling plants, after grinding them. Tomato tops, wormwood, tansy, onion husks, celandine are suitable. The raw materials must be poured with water and insisted for three days, then boiled, cooled and before use add liquid or crushed soap.

Each product must be prepared immediately before use and the leftovers must be poured out - they are not stored. Spraying should be carried out two to three times with an interval of 4-7 days, and then, as a preventive measure, repeat it every 3-4 weeks, while you can use different solutions each time.

Chemicals (insecticides) for aphid control

Many people avoid using them in the garden to grow an environmentally friendly crop, as well as in the apartment, so as not to spray chemicals in a confined space. But in the garden it is quite possible to use such a tool, especially since with timely preventive treatment, it is possible to avoid the appearance of pests altogether. In order not to harm the beneficial insects that will pollinate the flowers, it is necessary to carry out processing before the first buds begin to form. The protection will last for about three to four weeks, then the treatment can be repeated using another drug or a product prepared according to folk recipes. The most effective drugs for aphids are Fitoverm, Aktarin, Strela, Tanrek,Bio spark"And" Jaguar ". Preparations of a wider spectrum that will also protect against other pests are "Aktellik", "Aktara", "Decis", "Karate", "Karbofos" and "Confidor". Also, as in the case of folk remedies, the affected plants will need to be treated twice, but with an interval of two weeks.

Conclusion

It is possible to cope with aphids on petunias, the main thing is to think over a strategy and apply all methods in combination. Chemically, preparations can be used at the very beginning for prophylaxis and for very severe damage to plants by aphids. Particular attention should be paid to the biological method. Despite its apparent simplicity, it can be quite effective. And of course, there is no need to doubt the effectiveness of products prepared according to folk recipes, they have been tested by more than one generation of gardeners and do an excellent job of eliminating aphids.Taken together, these methods will help you keep your petunia beautiful and healthy.

Aphids on petunias: how to get rid of?