How to Control Oleander Aphids

Aphids can damage oleanders if not kept in check.

Oleander aphids are also commonly referred to as milkweed aphids. You can spot oleander aphids as they feed on your oleanders by their 1/16- to 1/8-inch, oval, yellow bodies with black markings. Oleander aphids must be killed as soon as you spot them or they will suck the sap out of the oleanders by piercing through the plant with their mouth parts. The plant will turn yellow and eventually die if the infestation is large enough. Fortunately, you can control oleander aphids without a chemical insecticide.

Things You'll Need

• Hose
• Spray bottle
• Dish soap

Instructions

1. Squirt your oleanders with your garden hose. Get underneath the petals, as this is where the aphids like to hang out. Hosing down the aphids will stop a small infestation but not a large one.

2. Pour 2 tbsp. of dish soap in an empty spray bottle. Fill the bottle with warm water. This is a standard homemade insecticidal soap that the University of Florida considers effective against oleander aphids.

3. Squirt larger infestations of oleander aphids with the homemade insecticidal soap. Again, get underneath the plant's petals. The soap will not hurt the flowers.

4. Repeat once per week during the blooming season to keep the oleander aphids away.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact commercial insectaries to obtain braconid wasps. These wasps are natural predators to the oleander aphid. Introduce the braconid wasps to your flower garden and let them do all the work for you.

References

• University of Florida: Oleander Aphid
• Texas A&M University: Aphids in Texas Landscape