Aphids are sap-sucking garden pest that can get out of hand if left unchecked.
Watch: How to build a bug hotel
They can damage your plants in various ways: slowing your plant’s growth, causing the leaves to distort or transferring diseases from sucking on the plant’s juices.
That said, there comes a time when it might be easiest to just leave the aphids on your plants and let nature take its course.
Natural aphid predators
The good news is that aphids have lots of natural predators that enjoy a nice big aphid lunch.
Lady beetles can devour up to 5000 aphids in its life, and lacewings love nothing more than to feast on aphids. But it’s the parasitic wasp that aphids really need to watch out for.
How parasitic wasps protect your plants from aphids
In his book, Garden, pests, diseases and good bugs, Denis Crawford says, “The parasite is a tiny wasp, which you probably won’t see, but you will know they are there when you see parasitised aphids inflate and turn a metallic colour.”
He explains that the tiny wasp lays an egg inside the aphid’s body, feeding on the host, turning it into a mummy. After about 7 days the wasp eats its way out of the aphid.
If you see these aphid mummies on your plants, Denis suggests a wait and see approach before whipping out the pesticide. With any luck, the wasps are hard at work getting rid of aphids for you.
“If you find these mummies on your roses, leave them there,” he says.
“Wait a week or so if you see aphids on your plants . If you are lucky, predators and parasites that control these pests will arrive hard on their heels.”
If not, here are some other natural ways to stop aphids from destroying your garden, using a chilli and garlic spray and soap.
How to identify aphids
Signs you have aphids in your garden include:
- Distorted leaves or leaf drops.
- Wilted shoots and seedlings
- Failure to fruit
- Ants or sooty mould
- white aphid skin casts on leaves
You might also like:
How to grow a vegetable garden
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
