How to fight aphids on currants?

The first insects on plants begin to appear only on warm days in spring or summer, so if aphids on currants During flowering, numerous recipes developed many years ago in villages and towns will tell you how to combat them. If you begin combating these "guests" when the pests are just beginning to reproduce, you can completely eradicate the "uninvited inhabitants" from your currant bushes and save them from aphid infestation.

Some general rules for controlling harmful insects

If aphids have appeared on your currant bush, experienced gardeners will show you how to combat them in this video. There are numerous methods that can easily eliminate these unwanted guests from your garden plot, as well as prevent them from breeding and feeding on the bush. One of the simplest and most effective methods involves using plain clean water. To do this, spray the entire plant with a hose. This will clear the branches of these harmful insects. Since plain water won't wash away the aphids even from the thin leaves, you'll need to take a cotton pad, soak it in soapy water, and then wipe the currant bush's leaves with it. Once the plant is completely free of pests, sprinkle it with a thin layer of ash or wash it with a soapy solution. In some cases, you'll need to use not only plain soap solutions but also herbal infusions. These are more effective against the pests but can also damage the plant itself. To repel them, not just decoctions are used, but products with the addition of laundry soap; in this case, the effect of the liquid will be much stronger.

If aphids have started to multiply on your currant bushes, the method described below will tell you how to combat these insects in June. A solution of various herbal decoctions with a bar of laundry soap is the most effective at eliminating aphids from the garden. It's important to follow these rules: only apply the solution in the evening. It's crucial that there's no rain outside, otherwise it will wash away the decoction, and the pests will return to continue their feast. The undersides of the leaves should be treated especially carefully, as this is where aphids most often hide. After seven days, repeat treatment is mandatory to consolidate the pest control. Avoid treating the trees too frequently, as this may not eliminate all the insects and may cause significant damage to the bushes.

How to prevent aphids from appearing on bushes

Once aphids have appeared on your currant bushes, how to combat them will be discussed in the article below, but now it's worth discussing what can be done to prevent these harmful "guests" from eating and reproducing on your bushes. There are several rules that will protect your plants and trees from aphids, and will help the gardener save time and money.

Proper care is always the key to fighting any pests. A strong, vigorous plant will be able to resist aphid infestations, as the tiny insects simply cannot penetrate the dense, thick leaves of the currant bush. Gardeners also recommend proper planting. Avoid planting two currant bushes next to each other; it's better to use rotation, as this will slow the spread of the infection to other bushes. When applying fertilizer, gardeners should carefully calculate the amount of fertilizer; if the bush is over-fertilized, it will quickly weaken and soon become vulnerable to harmful aphids. It's also important to water shrubs, as small bushes require just as much water as vegetable crops in the garden.

When aphids appear on currants, how to combat these pests (photos) will need to be examined in more detail, but there are several other methods that can help prevent aphids from appearing in your garden. For example, when planting bushes, it's important to leave as much space as possible (given that the plants will grow rapidly). This will help prevent branches from touching each other, and weeding between the plants will also be possible. Unwanted grass will need to be removed, as it can also harbor harmful insects, and they will then migrate from the weeds to healthy plants. Inspect the plant frequently for pests. If small pests are just beginning to appear on the branches, it's important to take immediate action to eradicate them. In small numbers, aphids can only be controlled with folk remedies.

Another effective method for strengthening plants is using a fertilizer containing potassium and phosphorus. These two substances will help make shrubs stronger and more resistant to diseases and pests. To prepare the solution, take one bucket of water, add a teaspoon of potassium salt, and a teaspoon of superphosphate. Let this solution sit in a dark place for at least two days, after which it can be poured into a bottle and sprayed over the entire plant. Repeat the treatment exactly two weeks after the first application.

Rules for treating plants with herbal infusions and decoctions

If all preventive measures have been taken and the currants were treated against diseases and pests, but aphids have appeared on the bushes. We'll discuss below how to combat this scourge with medications or folk remedies. So, if the insects have just begun to reproduce on the branches, it's worth trying to kill them with various decoctions. However, be extremely careful with these remedies. If the infusion is diluted incorrectly, it can cause severe damage to the leaves and twigs (herbal infusions can cause serious burns). Infusions can also be harmful to humans, although they seem completely harmless. Avoid eating potatoes and tomatoes if the treatment was done less than two weeks ago.

The best folk remedies for eliminating aphids from currant branches and leaves

As mentioned above, the simplest and most effective remedy against aphids is a solution of water with laundry soap dissolved in it. To make the solution, take a couple of bars of laundry soap and grate them finely. You can also use regular soap, but you'll need half as much. Next, pour about 300 grams of fine ash into a bucket, fill it with water to the brim, and let it steep for twelve hours. To speed up the process, you can simply boil the resulting solution and then add the grated soap. Before use, strain the liquid and pour it into large spray bottles, after which you can spray the plant.

Potato tops can also be a lifesaver if aphids and ants have appeared on your currants; this method will give you foolproof advice on how to combat them. To make a potato top infusion, take fresh leaves and chop them as finely as possible with a knife. Pour warm water over the tops and let them steep for three hours. After three hours, the infusion is ready. Strain it through cheesecloth twice to remove all impurities. Then, pour the infusion into a bottle and spray it on areas where harmful aphids are infesting.

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Onions have been used for many years to repel harmful "guests" from the garden, as insects dislike overly strong odors. An onion infusion will quickly eliminate all unwanted inhabitants from the branches and leaves of the bush. Take two medium onions, chop them into small pieces without peeling them, then place the onion cubes in a bucket and cover with ten liters of water. Let the infusion sit for at least 24 hours to allow the onions to release all their beneficial properties into the water. Then, strain the infusion through a sieve and spray the solution on all affected areas of the bush.

Garlic scape infusion is just as effective and popular an aphid remedy as onion infusion. It helps quickly and harmlessly destroy various pests that infest garden plants. To prepare this remedy, you can use either regular garlic cloves or scapes. Finely chop these ingredients to make exactly one cup of chopped garlic. Add exactly one liter of water and let steep for a couple of days. If you need the infusion urgently, you can let it steep for just 24 hours. Then strain the infused liquid, add about five grams of grated soap, mix everything well, and spray the trees with the resulting infusion. In just a couple of days, the aphids will be completely gone, and this treatment should be repeated after a couple of weeks. If aphids and ants have already appeared on your currants, other methods for eliminating these harmful "guests" will also provide guidance (photos).

Tobacco- and flywheel-based pest control products are also very popular and highly effective. Take about half a kilogram of tobacco or shag, chop these ingredients as finely as possible, and then add a bucket of water. Let the mixture steep for at least 24 hours. Once the solution is ready, strain it through a sieve and use it to spray fruit trees and currant bushes. It's important to note that the solution is quite concentrated, so only half the amount is poured into the bottle, then topped up with clean water and a small bar of laundry soap.

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The medicinal properties of chamomile are known not only to doctors but also to gardeners, who have been exterminating aphids in their gardens for years. Purchase one kilogram of dried chamomile, pour it into a bucket, and pour warm water over it. Let the mixture steep for twelve hours or more. Once the time is up, strain the solution through a fine sieve to prevent any small particles of chamomile from getting into the solution. This solution will be too concentrated, so dilute it three-quarters with water in a bottle and add a little liquid or laundry soap to the mixture. If aphids still appear on your currants, other methods of control (forum) will be described in detail below.

Simple methods to prevent pests

All the methods below will help not only eliminate unwanted guests from your property but also prevent their arrival. For example, it's worth attracting small birds to your garden by creating comfortable conditions for them. Provide water, food, and nesting sites for these feathered friends. The birds will also help eliminate small aphids from trees at an early stage. You can also attract beneficial insects to your shrubs, which also help control harmful beetles that feed on the branches. To encourage beneficial insects to live in your garden, plant plants they enjoy, such as carrots or dill.

The final piece of advice every gardener should follow is to prevent black ants from appearing in the garden. They help aphids spread to other trees and shrubs by carrying the eggs on their legs.