5 Ways to Get Rid of Aphids on Tomatoes
I Hate Aphids on my Tomato Plants, You Too?
Tomatoes are a smart choice to grow at home. There are thousands of varieties to choose from, so you can grow tomatoes most anywhere, from indoors to outside, and from tiny micro-dwarf to huge beefsteak. There are lots of varieties that are pest-resistant too! But inevitably, if you’re growing tomatoes outdoors, even with pest-resistant varieties, you’ll encounter aphids.
These tiny pests can quickly take over your tomato plants, as well as other vegetables in your garden, causing lots of damage and reducing yields. Here are the five most effective ways I’ve found to get rid of aphids on tomatoes.
What ARE Aphids?
Some species of aphids also have wings, which makes them more mobile and able to spread to different parts of the plant.
Before discussing ways to get rid of aphids, it’s important to understand what they are and how they damage tomato plants. Aphids are tiny, pear-shaped insects that feed on the sap of plants, including tomato plants. They are often found on the underside of leaves, so unless you’re actively looking for them, you may not realize they are there until their numbers grow!
They reproduce quickly and can cause significant damage to your tomato plants by deforming the leaves and stems, and reducing the quality of the tomatoes. In addition, aphids can also spread plant viruses, which can lead to even more damage.
Inspect for Aphids Often!
It’s a good strategy to inspect your tomato plants closely, 1-2 times per week, if not daily. Most important is to check the underside of leaves, because aphids (and other pests) tend to start their population growth there, out of sight of their predators. If you don’t notice them, they are left to grow their population and it will happen fast!
So once you identify aphids on your tomato plants, try these 5 ways to remove them:
1. Manual Removal with a Hose
One of the simplest ways to get rid of aphids on your tomato plants is by manually removing them. Try using your hose and spraying the affected areas where aphids are congregating, with a strong jet of water. That’s right, spray them off your plants! I do this by using my left hand to hold a clump of leaves in, and using my right hand holding the hose, to spray into that clump in my hand.
My aphids are always on the undersides of leaves, so I hold the bunch of leaves so the undersides are in position to be sprayed directly. I can remove most of the aphids this way, and it doesn’t cause much leaf damage. However, this doesn’t kill aphids and they will inevitably be back.
Also, use can try using a soft-bristled brush to gently dislodge the aphids from the leaves and stems. But I tried this method and it caused more damage to the leaves. Worth trying though.
And for leaves with heavy infestation, and if you have plenty of other green healthy leaves on the same plant, remove the affected leaf and throw it away in a garbage can!
2. Neem Oil is Organic and Works!
Another effective way to get rid of aphids on tomatoes is by using neem oil. Neem oil is a natural insecticide that is derived from the seeds of the neem tree. It works by disrupting the aphids’ hormonal systems, which makes it difficult for them to feed and reproduce. To use neem oil, simply mix it with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spray it onto the affected plants. NEEM OIL WORKS! Here’s my article with more information on How to Use Neem Oil on Tomato Plants, here.
3. Insecticidal Soap
Insecticidal soap is another natural solution for getting rid of aphids on tomatoes. It works by suffocating the aphids, which prevents them from feeding and reproducing. To use insecticidal soap, simply mix it with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions and spray it onto the affected plants. Be sure to cover both the top and bottom of the leaves, as well as the stems and any buds or flowers.
Note: there are GOOD insects that may also be on your plants. If you choose to kill the pests, you’re also choosing to kill these other beneficial insects. For this reason, you may want to consider the manual removal method first to spray away the bad pests and allow the good insects to eat the remaining pests. This works as long as there isn’t an uncontrollable infestation.
4. Beneficial Insects
There are GOOD insects in your garden too! With a little patience, it’s very possible to avoid using any chemicals or toxins and grow pure organic foods. But to do this, it’s important to always keep aphids and other pests at or below a controllable no-damage number. This means encouraging GOOD BENEFICIAL insects that eat the bad ones… like ladybugs and lacewings! Both of these beneficial insects are natural predators to aphids and if you don’t have them already, you can buy them and set them free on your tomato plants! A small bag of ladybugs will help control your aphid population, and usually works within just a day or two!
You can purchase ladybugs and lacewings online or at your local garden center. And if not, buy them online and have them mailed to you!
5. Companion Planting
Besides beneficial insects, there are beneficial companion plants that also work great to deter pest infestations on your tomatoes. Strategic companion planting can be a very effective way to control aphids.
There are several companion plants that can help deter aphids from infesting tomato plants. Some of these include:
1. Marigolds: These bright, colorful flowers not only add beauty to your garden but also repel aphids and other pests.
2. Nasturtiums: These plants are great for attracting beneficial insects that feed on aphids, such as ladybugs and lacewings.
3. Garlic: The pungent odor of garlic is unappealing to aphids, making it a good companion plant for tomatoes.
4. Chives: Similar to garlic, the strong smell of chives can help deter aphids from your tomato plants.
5. Mint: The scent of mint is also unpleasant to aphids, so planting it near your tomatoes can help keep them away.
By planting these companion plants alongside your tomato plants, you can create a natural barrier against aphids and other pests, while also adding beauty and diversity to your garden.
Conclusion
Aphids are almost inevitable in most any outdoor garden, and can be a frustrating problem for tomato growers. But there are several effective ways to get rid of them. From manual removal to natural insecticides and beneficial insects, there are many options available. In addition, companion planting can also help to prevent aphids from taking over your tomato plants. Consider a strategic approach of combining more than one of the above 5 ways to get rid of aphids on tomatoes, along with a quick daily inspection of each plant, and you’ll avoid aphid damage and infestations successfully!