How to Control Aphids With Onion

Aphids find the odor and taste of onions distasteful.

Aphids are tiny, soft-bodied garden pests that feed on most garden crops, especially tomatoes, peppers, squash, melons and cucumbers. In large numbers, aphids tend to weaken crops by sucking their juice, but even small numbers of aphids can cause damage by transmitting diseases. Due to their small size, aphids are difficult to hand pick. You can control aphids with companion planting and other natural control methods. Does this Spark an idea?

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Onion, chive or garlic plants
Blender
Spray bottle
Cheesecloth
Garden sprayer

Instructions

- 1
  
  Plant or place potted onions and related plants next to plants where you want to repel aphids. Wild onion and garlic thrive and propagate the easiest. The scent of chive or shallot also repels aphids.
- 2
  
  Make an onion spray for aphid-infested plants if you prefer not to grow actual onions. To make a spray, chop onions into small pieces and place in a blender with 1 quart of water for each onion. Strain the solution through cheesecloth, and transfer it to a spray bottle or garden sprayer.
- 3
  
  Spray large areas of affected crops with the solution from a garden sprayer. Use a spray bottle to spray individual plants.