Aphid
Easy DIY
Identification
Tiny soft-bodied insects, often green or black, that cluster on new plant growth to feed on sap and excrete sticky honeydew that attracts ants and sooty mold.
Can I DIY this?
Easy DIYYou can handle this one yourself.
With the right product and a little patience, most homeowners take care of this pest on their own. Follow the treatment guide, read the product label, and you're set.
- Check the undersides of leaves and new growth, where aphids cluster and feed on sap.
- For light infestations, a strong spray of water knocks most of them off, and encouraging ladybugs or lacewings helps keep numbers down naturally.
- For heavier infestations, apply insecticidal soap or horticultural oil, making sure to coat the undersides of leaves — these work by direct contact, not residual action.
- For recurring or severe infestations, a systemic insecticide applied to the soil lets the plant itself become toxic to feeding aphids.
- Watch for sticky honeydew residue and ants (which farm aphids for it) as signs you still have an active population.
- Reapply every 7-14 days as needed, since aphids reproduce quickly.
Wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. Add a respirator if the label calls for it or ventilation is poor.