You might think that something as small as an aphid couldn’t take down something as beautiful as your magnificent, green shrubs. But this itsy bity bug could be the ruination of even the healthiest of ornamentals. Make sure you take aphids seriously when planning your outdoor pest control strategies or your lawn could suffer.

What is an aphid?

An aphid is a very small, soft-bodied insect. You might not even be able to see them. They are only about 1/32 to 1/8 inch long at maturity. They survive and thrive in just about every US zone despite their minimal body mass. They can appear alone or in small groups to feed but a more typical situation is a huge feeding group. Aphids don’t move far or fast but they do reproduce rapidly. A population can experience several generations in a single season.

What does it look like if I have aphids in my lawn?

Aphid damage starts with misshapen, curling, yellowing or stunted leaves. The adult feed on plant juices so they attack various parts of the plants depending on the variety of aphid. It could be the leaf, the stem or the bloom that shows signs first. Damage tends to begin when the temperature is consistently between 65 and 80 degrees so in the Melbourne, Florida area that’s quite a bit of the year! Another tell-tale sign of aphid damage is a sticky substance on the plant called “honeydew” that builds up on the leaves. Check the underside of the leaf; this is where they prefer to hide.

The honeydew aphid produce is a prized food source for other insects as are the aphids themselves. Look for congregations of their predators like ladybugs, who eat aphids, or certain ant, who “herd” the aphids into their colonies to harvest the honeydew.

How can I get rid of aphids?

The best defense is a good offense. This green pest control method often works of you get to it quickly: spray them off with water. Aphids are small and can’t fly so rinsing them off your shrubs and trees often encourages them to flee. However, we usually don’t know we have them till the damage is done and it’s too late for the hose.

Horticultural oils and DIY remedies like soap sprays (that do not contain de-greaser) can often deter a mild aphid intrusion, as well. They need to be reapplied with regularity as the smallest bit of rain will rinse them away. Systemic treatments often work the best, but you’ll probably need the help of an outdoor pest control company for these. They are injected into the tree or sprayed on the leaves and the plant absorbs the treatment into its sap or juices with no harm to the plant. However, the aphid is poisoned when it tries to feed.

Don’t lose your valuable and beautiful landscaping to the tiny aphid!