Aphids are responsible for stunting plant growth to cause eventual demise. Aphids also cause deadly viruses, poor yields, or further intruding infestation.
Expensive repellent sprays available in the market may barely satisfy every aspect.
Those sprays may harm the plant's growth & cause allergic reactions as well. For that reason, you should settle for homemade aphid spray recipes right away.
Table of Contents
Where Do the Aphids Come from?
Pest insects prefer weakened plants struggling & lacking vigor for different reasons to attack. And researchers have discovered glutathione’s nature of attracting insects.
Many aphids get wings in the later periods to help the insects transferring to other plants. Also, wind helps aphids to move from one plant to another rather fast.
That’s where you can’t simply ignore the primary infestation in your garden. It actually takes no time to take control of your growing/struggling plants.
Let’s see various homemade aphid spray recipes which work well for Aphid pest control.
1. Simple Soap with Vegetable Oil Killing Recipe
This is one of the simplest, healthiest & cheapest recipes to work well. Coconut oil & olive/grape oil are excellent quality vegetable oils.
Insecticidal Oil Spray
- 2½ Tablespoon Mild Liquid Soap
- 1 Gallon Distilled Water
- 2½ Tablespoon Vegetable Oil
Fill up a gallon jug full of distilled water. Stir the detergent or dish soap with the vegetable oil. Keep the oil percentage medium to avoid hurting the plants.
2. Everyday Liquid Soap to Seal the Intrusion
It’s more like a primary attempt to address the intruders. Only two ingredients will make the effective repellent.
Insecticidal Soap Spray
- 4-5 Tablespoons Liquid Soap
- 1gal Distilled Water
Fill up a jug with 1 gallon of water. Add 4-5 tablespoons of liquid soap. Now mix the components thoroughly. Get yourself a spray bottle filled with the solution for use.
3. Powerful Pyrethrum Leaves to Kill All the Bugs
Are you looking for something special to treat the infestation? Well, the pyrethrum contains all-natural power to restore plant safety.
Pyrethrum Spray Recipe
- ⅔ Cup Pyrethrum Flowers
- 1 Gallon Household Water
- 4-5 Drops Dawn Dish Detergent
Collect pyrethrum flowers to dry them in the oven at a low temperature. Store it in an airtight container before grinding. Combine water & the grinded powder to mix vigorously.
Filter the mixture using a reusable coffee filter or flour sackcloth. In the evening or early morning, add soap & thoroughly spray the plants. Wear a dust mask while working if you are allergic to the elements.
4. Using Leaf Miner to Stop Aphid infestation
This spray is applicable when you notice winding trails in your plants' leaves. Then, you can eliminate the source by suffocating the leaf miners.
Leaf Miner Spray
- Quarter Cup Molasses
- 1½ Cup water
Blend the molasses with water to shake the mixture carefully. Fill a spray bottle to exterminate the leaf miners.
5. Effective Ammonia to Protect the Affected Plants
Ammonia is a good chemical to kill aphids & other bugs. This is another good option to keep in mind for helping with pest control.
Ammonia Bug Spray
- 2 Cup Clean Water
- ¼ Cup Ammonia
Combine the ammonia with water in a spray can first. Give it a good shake before using. Apply carefully in a test area to wait overnight.
Closely observe if any of the plant sections are burned. Apply the spray next evening after checking no bad/harmful effect on plants.
6. Baking Soda with Soap to Induce Superior Protection
You’re to use baking soda once in a while for repelling the bugs. And it’s a variation of the insecticidal soap spray to try at home.
Soap & Soda Spray
- 18 Tablespoon Baking Soda
- ¾ Drops Dawn Dish or Castile Soap
- 2 Cup Household Water
Spray heavily on diseased plants after thoroughly mixing the ingredients. Treating your plants the next evening will avoid potential sunburn.
7. Hot Pepper Alone to Prevent the Infestation
Hot pepper spray helps to keep anything (bugs, cats, dogs, rabbits) at bay. The bugs/animals will immediately cease to visit & damage your plants.
Hot Pepper Spray
- ½ Cup Pureed Hot Pepper
- 2 Cup Clean Water
Blend the peppers into the water well in a spray can. Shake the can thoroughly before applying it to the areas.
8. Bug-Repelling Peppermint Oil with Soap to Kill Insects
This spray is perfect for stopping aphids & other bug infestations. Peppermint is something that is not tolerated by most bugs, especially ants.
Peppermint Soap Spray
- 1L Water (Approximate)
- ½ Tablespoon Liquid Soap
- 20-30 Drops Essential Oil
Fill a glass/sprayer with water to add liquid soap (castile soap). Blend 20-30 drops of essential peppermint oil into the mixture. After shaking it up thoroughly, spray the affected plants.
9. Using Tomato Leaves for a Safe Killing Spray
Alkaloids is a poisonous substance found in tomato leaves. Its diluted watery solution produces an eco-friendly homemade aphid spray.
Tomato Leaves Spray
- 1-2 Cup Tomato Leaves
- 4 Cup Water
Chopped tomato leaves to ensure maximum chemical release. Strain the leaves from the 2-cup water after leaving it overnight using a cheesecloth/strainer. Then, pour in the remaining two cups of water to fill the sprayer.
10. Garlic with Mineral Oil Plus Dish Soap to Cease the Attack
Garlic combinations have long been used as a pesticide spray. Garlic contains sulfur, featuring antifungal & antibacterial properties.
Aphid Garlic Oil Spray
- 3-4 Garlic Cloves
- 2 Teaspoons Mineral Oil
- Household Water
- Liquid Dawn Dish Soap
Cut or mince all of the garlic cloves to a fine density. Combine the items with mineral oil will prep the mix. Allow the mixture to stand for 24 hours before straining.
Add the remaining liquid to one pint of water. Fill the sprayer bottle with two tbs concentrate oil with one pint of water.
11. Using Onion Power to Repel All Kinds of Bugs
Onions are another one to repel most pests including aphids. The aroma should drive away aphids from your plants.
Aphid Onion Spray
- 100g Onions
- 1gal Water
Chop the onions to place them in a gallon of water. Then cook the onions for 30 minutes. Use the solution without any dilution. Allow the solution to cool down for the application.
12. Dandelion or Nettle Leaves to Drive Away the Intruders
Dandelion has several medical features that make it beneficial. But we’re talking about its ability to eliminate aphids.
Aphid Dandelion Spray
- 400g Dandelion Leaves
- 1kg Nettle Leaves
- 2L Tap Water
Allow the dandelion leaves to soak in water for 24 hours. Blend the leaves with a water well in a solution. Fill the spray bottle with the prepared solution to apply.
Or take the nettle leaves to blend them well with the water. Keep it sitting for two/three weeks to obtain a clear brown color. Mix 1 part of the solution with 7 parts water to spray it over plants.
13. Diluted White Vinegar to Prohibit Bug/Pest Infestation
Vinegar remains available in every house for different purposes. And its acetic acid is one natural, effective insecticide to burning aphids.
Aphid Vinegar Spray
- White Vinegar
- Sufficient Water
Combine white vinegar with water in a 1:3 ratio. Simply fill a spray bottle with the prepared solution to spray it on the infested areas of the plants.
14. Vinegar with Oil to Improved Your Plant Condition
However, you may want to ensure maximum outcome at the first attempt. You should consider adding castile soap to strengthen vinegar’s power.
Aphid Vinegar Oil Spray
- 1 Tablespoon White Vinegar
- 1gal Water
- 1 Tablespoon Castile Soap
Combine the castile soap with water before adding the white vinegar. Stir the mix well to apply a spraying coat on the plants.
15. Using Neem Oil with Soap to Eliminate Bugs
Neem oil is one of the most effective ways to eliminate aphids. The all-natural oil is completely safe to use anywhere.
Aphid Neem Oil Soap Spray
- 1 Cup Neem Oil
- 1 Spoon Dawn Dish Soap
- 1-Gallon Water
Prepare a spraying mix with the neem oil, dish soap & water. Mix the solution well enough for a uniform anti-aphid effect.
16. Power of Rubbing Alcohol to Prevent Further Infestation
Additive-free alcohol dissolves the protective bodily wax on aphids. Incorporating rubbing alcohol can even increase the power of other homemade recipes.
Aphid Alcohol Spray
- Isopropyl Alcohol
- Sufficient Water
Mix 1 part running or isopropyl alcohol with 7 parts water. Shake the holding bottle well to achieve the best performance.
17. Using Essential Oils & Liquid Soap to Make Effective Repellent
Many essential oils have reasonably effective insecticidal properties. Likewise, the essence barely causes any damage.
Essential Oils Soap Spray
- 2 Tablespoon Liquid Soap
- 10 Drops Palmarosa Essential Oil
- 5 Drops Oregano Essential Oil
- Distilled or Household Water
Add the essential oils & natural liquid soap to a small basin. Pour the mix halfway inside the spray can fill the rest with distilled water.
Leave a small area for 5 – 6 hours after applying the spray. Cover the entire plant section after confirming no negative result.
Final Words
Aphid infestation is a nightmare for anyone interested in gardening. And buying commercial repellents isn’t exactly safe for your plants in the long run. Only a homemade recipe should manage the situation satisfactorily from every aspect.
Ask Me Anything