Aphids On Pepper Plants – How To Treat And Prevent

Aphids are definitely one insect you’ll want to keep far away from your pepper plants. There are thousands of different aphid species around the world, and you’ll find them in a variety of climates.

These pests attach themselves to the leaves of your pepper plants and suck the sap right out. Because they’re drinking all the sugary juices from the leaves, they end up excreting a sticky substance called “honeydew.” Ants feed on the honeydew substance that aphids produce, making for a viscous gardening cycle.

Most aphids are born pregnant, so they multiply incredibly quickly. If you suspect you have aphids on your pepper plants, you’ll want to act fast!

What Do Aphids Look Like?

These pests come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. This can make them difficult to identify. Their soft bodies are pear-shaped and often range from light green to dark brown. Aphids have long antennae and many have short cornicles extending from their behind. 

You won’t see aphids jumping or hopping, but sometimes they may fly or drift in the wind. You’ll often find them in groups, often hiding underneath newly formed leaves. Green aphids, the type we personally deal with most, camouflage themselves incredibly well!

If you’re having trouble identifying aphids on your pepper plant, try capturing some in a small plastic bag and consulting your local nursery. You can also use an insect identifier app.

Here are a few tips to spot aphids on pepper plants:

• Look at leaves from below. Viewing your plant’s leaves against the light can make aphids cast a shadow, making them easier to spot. If you can, hold your plant up to the sky and view the leaves from below.
• Look for small, dark spots along the leaf veins. As the aphids suck the sap out of your pepper plants, the affected areas will turn dark.
• Focus on new growth. Focus on the smaller, younger leaves of your pepper plants. Aphids are more attracted to new leafy growth than older, larger leaves. They tend to feed on the young leaves and will gather around them.

How To Get Rid Of Aphids On Pepper Plants

Whether you’ve found a cluster of aphids or a single insect, you’ll want to take action to control them. We recommend starting with natural methods, and only using insecticide when absolutely necessary. Here are some of the best ways to get rid of aphids on your pepper plants.

How To Get Rid Of Aphids (Video):

1. Blast With A Hose

If you’ve found aphids on your pepper plants, one of the easiest ways to remove them before treatment is to simply spray them with a hose. Remember, aphids don’t jump, and most don’t fly.

You’ll want to use your thumb over the front of the hose to create adequate pressure to knock them off. Starting from the top, aim the hose toward the underside of your leaves.

You won’t want to do this on any plants that are delicate or not strong enough to handle a blast of water. This is an excellent starting point for removing aphids before using one of the treatment options below. Be sure to let the leaves dry before treating the plants. 

2. Ladybugs and Natural Predators

Ladybugs eat aphids, so we’re very happy when we see them on our pepper plants. If your local nursery or farm stand is selling live ladybugs, you’ll want to grab a pack for your garden. Act early, as these good guys aren’t always easy to find in the middle of summer when pests are running rampant.

Ladybugs and other predatory insects are the most natural solution for aphids and other pests in your garden. You’ll want to let them loose in the evening to keep them from flying away (though many of them will escape anyways).

You can also use a light netting around your pepper plants to keep the ladybugs temporarily contained while they feast on your aphid infestation. Ladybugs are also attracted to water, so give your pepper plants a light spray before releasing them. We like to keep a couple shallow dishes of water around as well.

Here are a few places you can buy beneficial insects online:

• Arbico Organics
• Green Thumb Nursery
• Amazon

* Alternatively, you may want to consider green lacewings for aphid control.

Attract the predators naturally

Instead of buying live insects, why not attract them to your garden? Using flowers and other pepper companion plants, you can bring in lots of native insects that love to feast on aphids. Our quick tip is to plant lots of alyssum and other flowers nearby your garden.

3. Insecticidal Soap

Keep in mind, it is still a good idea to start by knocking aphids off your plant and using natural control methods first. Then, you can spray selectively to get rid of any remaining aphids on your peppers.

4. Neem Oil

One of the most popular treatments for aphids and other common pests is neem oil. If you plan on using this treatment, be sure to buy 100% cold pressed neem oil with azadirachtin.

There are many products on the market that are extracts of neem, and will not be as effective in managing aphids. Neem oil is not an instant fix and will not eradicate aphids immediately. The oil works by starving the aphids and disrupting their natural reproduction cycle. 

Note that pure neem oil may solidify at cooler temperatures. It is highly recommended that you make a solution of neem oil, lukewarm water, and a mild soap to emulsify the solution. (We recommend Dr. Bronners soap in peppermint). Shake the solution vigorously before spraying.

Do not spray your neem oil in the middle of the day when the sun is a threat. Spraying neem oil under intense sunlight will put your pepper plants at risk of burning. If there are small areas you can’t reach with the spray bottle, you can go over them gently with a Q-Tip. You can also use a soft toothbrush to gently brush delicate leaves.

Our go-to mixture for aphids and other pests is a solution of neem oil, castile soap, and water. Many people use mild, clear dish soap for pest control, but we recommend using Dr. Bronners Castile soap. While the unscented version will work just fine, we like to use the peppermint scent as it naturally deters some other common pests.

The fatty acid in the soap breaks down the waxy coating on the aphids skin and dehydrates them. Our local Trader Joe’s stocks this soap, or you can buy it online.

You can also try using just soap and water at first, then adding neem oil later. Mix 1 Tablespoons of Dr. Bronners Castile soap to 1 gallon of water. If your garden is smaller, you can scale this recipe down.

5. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is a naturally-occurring sedimentary rock that crumbles into a fine, white powder. This powder destroys the waxy outer layer of the aphids resulting in dehydration. To use diatomaceous earth, you’ll want to dust the leaves on your peppers while they’re still slightly wet. You’ll also want to sprinkle the powder around the base of the plant.

We recommend wearing a mask and glasses when working with diatomaceous earth. The particles are quite fine and may be irritating if they get in your eyes. Repeat the application process every few days, or after any heavy rainfall. You can find a generously sized bag on Amazon.

Diatomaceous earth is harmful to bees. If your aphid infestation is later in the season when bees are prevalent, consider covering your plants with protective netting or using an alternative method.

6. Companion Plants

If you’re in the middle of an aphid infestation, companion plants may not help you. However, its great advice for next year’s garden. There are many herbs and flowers that will help keep the aphids under control. Consider planting some of the following companion plants in your garden:

• Alyssum
• Catnip
• Chives, onions, and garlic
• Mint
• Marigold
• Sunflowers

Homemade Aphid Spray

You can scale this recipe if you have a smaller garden and use a standard spray bottle. Remember, this spray may harm beneficial insects, too. Only spray insecticides as a last resort.

• 1-2 Tablespoons (.5oz – 1 oz) 100% cold-pressed neem oil
• 1/2 – 1 Tablespoon (.25 oz – .5 oz) Dr.Bronners castile soap
• 1 Gallon lukewarm water

Shake vigorously before each application.

If you’ve ever had an aphid infestation, you know how serious the issue can become. These pests are relentless. The key to controlling aphids on your pepper plants is to act fast and catch them before they multiply.

We hope this article helps guide you on eliminating aphids from your garden. Let us know which solutions have worked for you!

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