Last updated on October 23rd, 2023 at 08:51 pm
Have you equipped your balcony with plenty of plants to feel comfortable and enjoy the long summer evenings? Then you probably did not plan for the aphid in your imagination.
This pest settles on the plants and with its insatiable hunger, it leaves a great damage. Aphids are not only found in the garden. On the balcony, too, it can happen that the aphid finds itself even at a greater height.
But how does the aphid get on your balcony and what can you do about this pest? Save your balcony plants with the following tips and prevent a new infestation. Then you will once again enjoy spending time on your balcony and relax in your personal oasis of well-being.
Contents
How does the aphid get onto your balcony?
Aphids get on your balcony via infected plants themselves. The eggs were laid there and are so robust that they even survive the winter. In the spring, when you start planting on the balcony, the aphids come to life. Thus, it is possible that the pests can be found even in the highest floors.
With a passion for balcony plants, you yourself get the aphid on the balcony. In addition, some generations develop wings. These are able to overcome shorter distances and find their way into many a balcony. In most cases, the question of where the aphid comes from and gets onto your balcony is through contaminated plants.
How do you recognize aphid infestation?
Aphids can multiply greatly in a relatively short period of time and can be a major nuisance. If you are inattentive and the aphids spread undisturbed, the balcony plants can hardly be saved. Therefore, it is important as soon as possible to discover the infestation of aphids on the balcony and take appropriate measures.
The aphids betray themselves in various ways. A discoloration of the leaves may indicate that the infestation is so pronounced that the health of the plants suffers. If the leaves no longer appear in their original color, but look weaker, the chance of survival is significantly reduced. Therefore, you’d better watch for other warning signs that indicate early infestation.
If you look at the leaves, they curl or curl up due to the infestation. This starts at the edges and continues throughout the leaf as the aphids are allowed to continue their mischief. If the edges curl up, then you should investigate more closely to see if aphids have taken up residence on your balcony.
Another clue is the honeydew that the aphids excrete. The aphids suck up the plant sap. The sugar is of less interest to them. This is excreted and because of the rich energy it is high on the ants’ menu. If you notice that the underside of the leaf is sticky, this could be due to honeydew and is a clear sign of the aphid.
If more ants find themselves on your balcony, it is worthwhile to follow their trail. Attracted by the sweet droppings, the ants could be a sign of aphid infestation.
In general, keep a closer eye on your balcony plants. Dark spots may directly represent the aphid and further deformities may be from this pest.
Fight the aphid on the balcony
Once you have identified the aphid, you should not hesitate and start fighting it as soon as possible. Detected early, the individual animals can still be driven away with relatively little effort. If, on the other hand, you wait until the next generation of aphids grows up, you will have to fight them with more intensive means.
Washing off with water
A simple and natural way to remove aphids is to spray the balcony plants with water. For this, you should use a powerful jet of water, which literally shoots the aphids from the leaves.
Not on every balcony this method can be implemented without problems. For this purpose, the bathtub is an alternative place where you can treat the plants. Cover the pot so that it is not hit by the water jet. Now you devote yourself specifically to the leaves and use the power of the water to remove the small animals from the plants.
Since this method involves more effort and you have to treat each leaf individually, this is only practical for a smaller infestation. If you notice the aphids early, you can use this approach.
Nettle broth
If the infestation is more pronounced, you need to resort to other means. Sensitive aphid reacts to a decoction of nettles. Make the decoction and spray it all over the balcony plants.
The preparation of the decoction is relatively simple, but still requires more time. Fill freshly collected nettles into a container and stir the water and nettle mixture regularly. After 24 hours, the decoction is ready to be applied to the plants using a spray bottle.
Repeat the application until all leaves are reliably freed from aphids. Since it is a natural decoction, there are no other undesirable side effects to worry about.
Soapy water
Another method to get rid of aphids is to apply a soapy water solution. For this purpose, you can prepare a mixture of curd soap, spirit and water. Spray the resulting soapy water on the leaves and they will no longer give a sufficient grip. It is important that you take care of every area of the leaves and especially spray the bottom with the soapy water. Precisely done, there will be no more aphids on the leaves and you could save the plant.
Niem
A special remedy that works against the aphids is neem. This is a natural product, which can be purchased in specialized stores. You spray the neem on the plants. If the aphids absorb the active ingredient, they lose their appetite. The pests will no longer attack your plants, so it is an effective immediate measure against aphids on the balcony.
Prevent a new infestation
To prevent aphids from attacking your plants on the balcony again, you can start at different points.
An important cornerstone is that you take care of your balcony plants and that they have strong defenses. If the plants grow optimally, they can better defend themselves against the enemies. The infestation can hardly be prevented, but the damage is kept within limits. Use a suitable fertilizer and water the balcony plants sufficiently.
If you store your plants, you should inspect them for possible eggs and individual aphids. For this purpose, take a magnifying glass to help you and see if eggs can be found. These are mostly on the underside of the leaves and would cause aphids to hatch in the spring. Remove the eggs so you don’t get a nasty surprise in the spring.
The aphids on the balcony
Aphids pose a threat to your plants in any place. The pests also get onto your balcony, either through infected plants or flying specimens. Control aphids early to stop them from reproducing. With the remedies presented here, you will limit the damage and feel good again on the balcony.