10 Plants That Deter Aphids In Gardens

Among all the insects that infests on gardens, aphids are some of the most common and also some of the worst. These tiny insects called aphids can cause havoc on crops causing damage and bringing about diseases. However, there are plants that repel aphids. Thereby, reducing their population.

Aphids are small sap-sucking and members of the superfamily ‘Aphidoidea’, they are  soft bodied insects which exists in many colour such as white, green, red, yellow, grey. Different species of aphids exist for different crops. There are bean aphids, cabbage aphids, melon aphids and potato aphids to mention a few.

Aphids can reproduce quickly and numerous generations will be born in a single season. Most aphids are slow moving, so controlling their numbers would not be too hard.

10 Plants That Repel Aphids

There are some plants that repel aphids with their strong fragrance when planted in the garden. Some of which are garlic, chives, leeks, dill, cilantro, coriander, peppermint, spearmint, larkspurs, eucalyptus, clovers, marigold, catnip, onion, rosemary, parsley, nasturtium, basil.

#1. Garlic

Garlic is a member of the alium family. Garlic contains sulphur which is an active pesticide. Aphids dislike garlic because the strong scents disrupt the aphid’s sense of smell keeping them away from vegetables. Garlic can also be crushed and combined with water and a little soap to spray directly on the plants.

N.B: garlic should be kept away from beans and peas.

#2. BASIL

Basil is a warm season herb. Basil has a pungent smell that repels insects. Basil’s strong fragrance which has a repellant effect disrupts the olfactory receptors in aphids, thereby keeping plants free of aphids. Basil acts as a deterrent for some aphid species and also inhibit the feeding behaviors of aphids.

#3. ONION

Onions are a member of the allium family. Onion has antibacterial sulphide component which repels insects. Onion scents helps in controlling aphids and preventing them from destroying plants. Onions are good companion plants for brassicas like cabbage, kale, broccoli and cauliflower.

N.B: onions should be kept away from beans and peas.

#4. CATNIP

Catnip may attract cats, but the smell will confuse insects such as aphids. Catnip also attracts insects that can help in controlling aphid infestations.

#5. MINT

Mint is another fragrant herb that contains volatile oils that can help repel aphids.

#6. PARSLEY

Parsley attracts predatory wasps that feed on aphids. These wasps can help reduce aphid population if you are dealing with aphid infestation.

#7. NASTARTIUM

Nasturtium is very attractive to aphids.  They release airborne chemicals that repel aphids. They work as trap for aphids, thereby keeping them from being attracted to vegetable crops.

#8. MARIGOLD

The scent from marigold repels aphids and other insects. The plant releases limonene which slows down insects when they are flying around crop plants.

#9. SAGE

Sage has a strong smell that is pleasant to human but undesirable to insects such as aphids. Sage is a perennial plant that can be planted into landscaped beds.

#10. NEEM LEAVES

Neem plant is a strong insect pest repellant; it actively control varities of insect pests that tend to distort the survival of a crop in the garden. Aphid is not left out; Neem leaves can actively control the population of aphids in any garden. Either neem extract or dried neem leaves can be used to achieve this purpose.

These are proven plants that repel aphids in gardens. They can either be used in powdered form or liquid. Application is twice a week or 3 consecutive days in severe infestation. These plants do not kill aphids, they repel aphids and other insects; thereby controlling the population of aphids and other insect pests.  

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