There are several ways to kill aphids naturally without using dangerous chemicals in your garden. Aphids have several natural enemies, including other insects, insect larvae, and birds. They move rather slowly, making them easy to remove by hand or target with sprays. Aphids multiply quickly, so it may take a combination of methods as well as repeated efforts to completely control them. Here are some ways to kill aphids naturally:
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Handpicking: Put on some garden gloves and knock them off of stems, leaves, flower buds, or wherever you see them, and into a bucket of soapy water to kill them. You can also cut or prune off the affected areas and drop them into the bucket.
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Soap and water: Make a homemade aphid spray by mixing a few tablespoons of a pure liquid soap (such as castile) in a small bucket of water. Apply with a spray bottle directly on aphids and the affected parts of the plant, making sure to soak the undersides of leaves where eggs and larvae like to hide. The soap dissolves the protective outer layer of aphids and other soft-bodied insects, eventually killing them.
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Neem oil: This is a natural insecticide that can be used to kill aphids. It works by disrupting the insects hormonal balance, making it difficult for them to feed, breed, or molt.
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Essential oils: Some essential oils, such as peppermint, clove, and rosemary, can be used to repel or kill aphids. Mix a few drops of the oil with water and spray it on the affected plants.
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Natural predators: Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds. You can also grow the right plants that attract predatory insects, plants that repel aphids, and plants that "trap" aphids.
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Insecticidal soaps and horticultural oil: These products kill primarily by smothering the aphid, so thorough coverage of infested foliage is required. Apply these materials with a high-pressure sprayer to ensure complete coverage.
