Getting rid of aphids on peppers: top 10 available remedies

If aphids have appeared on the peppers in the greenhouse, the same methods and means are used to combat it, as in the case of the destruction of pests in open ground. For processing, an aqueous solution is made, consisting of 1-3 components. Using a spray bottle, the resulting liquid is sprayed on the stems and leaves of the peppers, repeating the procedure for several days in a row.

5 signs of aphid attack

Pests are attracted not only by nutrients, but also by the large amount of moisture contained in bell peppers. Therefore, any type of aphid can live on the bushes, in most cases - green and black.

It is possible to determine the presence of aphids not only visually, but also by indirect signs:

• Due to the appearance of pests, pepper seedlings grow poorly, noticeably lagging behind in development.
• The leaves turn very yellow, dry out, then curl and fall off.
• The inflorescences also weaken and crumble, without producing fruit.
• The buds lose the ability to form ovaries.
• A viscous mixture can be found on the shoots and leaves, which makes the surface shine and becomes sticky to the touch.

It is this liquid mixture (called padya) that is the main sign that aphids have attacked the plant. It also carries an additional threat - other pests react to the smell of liquid. Often, after aphids attack, ants appear on peppers. Therefore, it is better to start fighting insects immediately after detecting these signs.

Getting rid of folk remedies: top 10 ways

If aphids appear on the bushes, first of all, you can try to save the peppers with folk remedies. For this, proven methods are used - for example, treatment with ammonia, hydrogen peroxide, garlic and other components. On the basis of these substances, an aqueous solution is made, with which the aerial part of the plants is sprayed for 1 week (hereinafter - as needed).

If nothing was at hand, and aphids were found quite a lot, you can collect pests and destroy them manually. Another easy way is to wash away insects with a jet of cold water. Due to the strong pressure, the aphid will quickly fall to the ground and will no longer be able to climb onto the greenery, after which it will immediately die. However, all these are temporary measures, therefore, later it is necessary to apply more effective means.

Ammonia

You can buy it at any pharmacy - everyone is used to calling the corresponding solution ammonia (the concentration of the active substance is usually 10%). It has a detrimental effect on the body of aphids, leading to paralysis and death of the insect.

To maximize the effect, it is necessary to spray the bushes with a mixture consisting of the following components:

• 2 large spoons of rubbing alcohol;
• 1 large spoonful of liquid soap or dish soap
• 1 bucket of water (10 L).

The components are mixed, allowed to brew for several minutes, after which the peppers are processed.

Do not be afraid of the pungent smell of ammonia - its concentration in such a dilute solution is insignificant. In addition, ammonia serves as an additional source of nitrogen along with ammonium nitrate, which has a similar chemical composition.

Hydrogen peroxide

At the pharmacy, you can also buy hydrogen peroxide - this is another universal remedy in the fight against pests.It not only helps to get rid of aphids, but also prevents the development of mold, which is especially important for the microclimate of greenhouses, where the air humidity is always quite high.

The composition of the solution is as follows:

• 1 liter of water;
• 2 large spoons of peroxide;
• the same amount of ammonia;
• 3-4 drops of liquid soap.

Soda

This is one of the most affordable folk remedies. The solution consists of the following components:

• a tablespoon of baking soda;
• 2 tablespoons of laundry soap shavings;
• 1 liter of water.

It is not necessary to infuse the mixture - after dissolving, you can immediately start processing.

Laundry soap

To get an effective insect-fighting soap solution, you need to take 1 teaspoon of soap shavings (obtained with a grater) in 1 liter of water. To help the soap dissolve better, it's best to use a warm (but not hot) liquid. It is necessary to insist such a mixture for 4–5 hours - often the bucket is simply left overnight, and processing is carried out the next day. Then the solution should be strained through cheesecloth and sprinkled on the bushes. You can also wipe the leaves with a solution.

It is better to do this processing in the evening so that the sun does not scorch the leaves. This is especially true for shrubs growing outdoors. In greenhouses, spraying can be done at any time.

Ash

If there is wood ash in the country, it can be diluted in 10 liters of water, in the same place, dissolve 5 tablespoons of shavings of laundry soap. This mixture must be infused throughout the day. Instead of soap, ash can be mixed with the remains of tobacco, crushed into dust: 2 large spoons of each component are taken for 2 liters of liquid.

Plant tops and roots

If insects appeared during the harvest, there will probably be branches and greens of tomatoes in the country. To prepare a decoction from them, 1 kg of tops will need 10 times more water. First, the tops are finely chopped and immersed in liquid for 3 hours. Then bring to a boil, turn off and insist for another 3 hours. Cool, filter and again dilute with water so that the finished product is 3 times larger in volume.

In summer, horse sorrel can also be used to combat aphids - you will need 400 g of the roots of this plant. They are washed, cut and soaked in boiling water (10 L) for 3 hours. Then they cool, filter and start spraying.

Mustard

In the fight against aphids, some products are also used that have a "bitter" odor and pronounced taste - for example, mustard or garlic. At the pharmacy, they buy dry mustard powder, take 1.5 tablespoons and pour the mixture into 2 cups of boiling water. You need to insist for quite a long time - 3-4 days. Then add another 9 liters of water so that the total volume takes up 1 standard bucket. Spray the leaves and stems.

Garlic

Garlic is another powerful pest control agent. They take fresh cloves with a bright aroma, fill them with a liter of cold water and leave for 3-4 days. Then it is diluted so that the result is 10 liters of the mixture, and the peppers are sprayed. The number of cloves is arbitrary: the more there are, the more effective the solution.

The cloves can be pre-crushed. But you need to do this with a knife, and not with a crusher - otherwise corrosive substances will quickly evaporate, and the agent will not work so much.

Onion decoction

Onion broth will also help to remove aphids. To get it, take 2 ordinary onions and chop them finely (you can also grind them with a grater). The husk is not thrown away - it is placed together with the pulp in a liter of warm, but not hot water and insisted overnight. Add 1 teaspoon of shavings of laundry soap to the solution. The next day, the mixture is filtered and some water is poured, so that the volume is again 1 liter.

Hot pepper infusion

Hot red peppers, small chili pods, are also used against aphids. This is a very effective method, but it will cost a little more than the others, as you need to buy 1 kg of fresh red peppers for 10 liters of water. The fruits must be cut into rings and filled with liquid for a day.Then the solution is diluted with water so that as a result the volume of the finished product becomes 10 times larger. In this regard, the use of pepper is justified: 1 kg of pods will give 100 liters of the finished solution.

How to treat peppers from aphids: chemical methods

The use of chemicals is justified when folk remedies help only for a while, after which the insects appear again. Also, chemicals are used when growing peppers on a large area of ​​the greenhouse - in this case, the treatment should be deep so that there is no need for repeated spraying.

The most common insecticides that are often used by summer residents in the fight against aphids:

• Fury
• "Fufanon",
• "Actellik",
• "Aktara",
• "Commander",
• "Corado"
• "Confidor",
• "Spark".

Despite the fact that these are artificial drugs, provided that the dosage is observed, their use is safe not only for humans and plants, but also for beneficial insects such as wasps, ladybugs, etc. In addition, most of the insecticides have a universal effect - they cope equally well with aphids and other pests. Therefore, chemicals reliably protect both bell peppers and any other crops.

Any chemicals must be used strictly according to the instructions. Even a slight excess of the drug can harm the plants. In addition, the processing should be carried out with gloves and a mask (if necessary).

How to prevent the development of aphids: biological methods

It is worth remembering that aphids have natural enemies:

• plants with a pungent smell (onions, garlic);
• birds (tits, sparrows);
• insects (ladybugs, wasps, hover flies).

Obviously, it will not work to lure birds into the greenhouse, but it is quite possible to attract insects there. To do this, you can use natural methods - plant flowers around the perimeter that will attract insects.

It will also be useful to plant onions and garlic around the perimeter, the smell of which repels pests. It is useful to treat walls and other surfaces of the structure with a solution of technical soda or bleach.

It is better to pre-treat with chemicals and equipment that is supposed to work in the greenhouse.

There are quite a few simple and at the same time effective ways to combat aphids, which like to settle on peppers and many other crops (vegetables, currants, other shrubs). They help to destroy pest colonies in just a few days. However, even after the death of all aphids, it is necessary to periodically inspect the plants and, at the first detection of negative signs, carry out a secondary treatment.