How to save your plants from aphids (greenfly, blackfly) in winter, a guide to eco friendly controls

Why do I have aphids in the winter?

Unfortunately aphids are not strictly seasonal, if it's warm enough in your growing environment they will happily feed and reproduce.  If temperatures drop they may enter their version of hibernation, they will lay eggs in nooks and crannies ready to hatch as soon as it warms up again.

Aphids on my houseplants and in my conservatory - help!

Lots of people have aphids right now, at first you might see one or two and then (maybe a day later) there's a whole colony.  They product offspring very quickly. 

Releasing predators is possible but maybe not practical in a home situation, plus during colder darker months predators may struggle to establish.

A contact based insecticide like Horticultural Soap, will kill the aphids and is safe for use indoors, on edibles, around pets and children.

How to get rid of aphids using contact insecticide

Often people spray the plant, come back the next day and think it hasn't worked.  This is because many of the aphids were either hiding or too small to be affected by a single application.  Spraying everyday or at least every other day, for a week, should be much more effective.

How to stop aphids coming back

The same Horticultural Soap can be used to protect plants from pest infestation.  A spray every 1-2 weeks will do 3 things;

- It will clean off any pests that are present

- It will get you looking at the plant and spotting any pests early

- A clean plant is a healthier plant and less likely to be harmed by pests

Horticultural Soap is £9.70 for 250ml which will make up to 25 litres of spray.  Shop now.

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