Organic Pesticides for Aphids on Tomato Plants
The most common vegetable grown in gardens around the country is the tomato. Tomato plants can provide a nice harvest in practically any soil and with relatively little care. Understanding and controlling aphids in the garden is necessary to grow healthy, vibrant tomato plants. There are many organic options for pesticide treatments of aphids. Does this Spark an idea?
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What are Aphids?
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Aphids, also known as plant lice, are small plant-eating insects.They are among the most destructive insect pests on garden plants, especially in warmer regions. The damage they inflict on plants has made them the enemy of farmers and gardeners the world over.
Natural Aphid Control
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Frequently inspecting the undersides of tomato plant leaves is highly recommended for controlling aphids. Catching aphids at their first signs of infestation can prevent them from colonizing and producing up to 80 offspring a week. Don't over-fertilize tomatoes; this causes an overabundance of new leaf growth which aphids love to feed on. A strong spray of water on the plants from the garden hose, especially under the leaves, will dislodge the aphids. Prune heavily infested parts of the plant and discard. Adding ladybugs and lacewings to the garden are highly effective in controlling aphids on tomato plants. Wrens love to "snack" on aphids, also. They can be encouraged to hang around your garden by placing bird houses in trees.
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Organic Home Remedies
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There are several organic pesticides you can make at home that are effective in controlling aphids on your tomato plants. One formula is two teaspoons of dish-washing liquid in a small garden spray bottle (32 oz.) filled with water. Spray tomato plants, especially under the leaves. This remedy can be used alone or alternated with another formula of three parts of lukewarm water to one part vegetable oil and a few drops of dish-washing liquid. Spray plants once a week, preferably in the earlier part of the day, alternately between solutions.
Organic Pesticides
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There are insecticidal soaps and oils available to treat aphids on the tomato plants. Safer Insecticidal Soap, Bon-Neem Insecticidal Soap or any horticultural oil can be purchased at your local garden center. When these products are sprayed on the tomato plant, they will suffocate the aphid, ultimately causing the aphids to dehydrate and die.
One effective ingredient in a commercial spray is Pyretherins, an extract of chrysanthemum flowers. Neem Oil is another recommended aphid treatment. It is oil from the Indian evergreen and will not bother beneficial insects such as ladybugs and bees.
Yellow traps are quite effective in controlling aphids. A yellow glass placed in the garden that is filled with a solution of water and dish-washing liquid will attract the aphids and cause them to drown. A yellow sheet of paper with sticky tape or a yellow fly trap paper also will attract aphids.
Benefits
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Whether you make a remedy in your kitchen or purchase a pesticide from your local garden center, there are many organic solutions to controlling aphids on the tomato plants in your garden.
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References
- Photo Credit tomates image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
