Aphids

Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped insects. They can be green, yellow, brown, red, gray, or black. There are both winged and non-winged aphids, depending on their species and life-stage.

You can remove aphids from plants by spraying them off with a sharp stream of water from the hose. Hand-squishing aphids is easy, or cover plants with floating row cover to protect them from insects.

It is highly recommended to try physical prevention/control methods before resorting to chemical control. Horticultural oil, insecticidal soap, or neem-based insecticides may help to manage aphids. Check local regulations (or your local Extension Office where applicable) to identify which products can be used in home gardens in your area. Follow label instructions carefully for safe and effective insecticide application and to ensure that edible crops are safe to harvest. Test insecticide on a few plants before widespread application. Look for the most selective insecticide to minimize harm to beneficial insects- even some “selective” and "natural" insecticides can still negatively impact beneficial insects. Where possible, apply contact-based insecticides in the late evening and try to avoid spraying during blooming to minimize negative impacts on pollinators- in some cases the insecticide may need to be hosed off in the morning to avoid contact with pollinators.