African Violet Aphid Control - What To Do About African Violet Pests

Usually, when you have African violets with aphids, you can use simple warm water and dish soap to remove them. Alternatively, you can find different pesticides that will kill aphids on African violets. But for these and other pests, it's always better to try non-chemical methods first. Neem oil is another option.

How do you control aphid infestation?

HOW TO GET RID OF APHIDS NATURALLY

Remove aphids by hand by spraying water or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water.
Control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils.
Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.

How do you treat mites on African violets?

The most unusual treatment for cyclamen mites was not particularly directed toward African violets. The treatment is to submerge the infested plants in warm (110 degree) water for 15 to 30 minutes. All parts of the plants and the pots must remain submerged and the temperature maintained for the entire time.

What is eating my African violet leaves?

As their name suggests, Leaf Beetles feed on the foliage of African Violets, chewing small holes at the edges of the leaves. Leaves have holes in them. They appear to have been eaten. Leaf Beetles typically chew holes at the edges of the leaves.

How do you get rid of white bugs on African violets?

An easy method to control them is to touch each insect with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol (70 percent isopropyl). With the swab try to remove each insect, and then rinse the plant with warm water in the sink but do not allow the leaves to stay wet.

What is the best aphid killer?

For aphids in multiple areas of your garden and landscapes, use Ortho® Insect, Mite & Disease 3-in-1 Ready-To-Use for small jobs and Ortho® Tree & Shrub Fruit Tree Spray for large jobs. If you prefer to use garden dusts, use Ortho® Insect Killer Flower & Vegetable Garden Dust.

Do banana peels keep aphids away?

Natural Pest Repellent

Cut up banana peels to bury 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil around plants that are prone to aphid infestations to repel and remove aphids from the area. ... Orange peels are highly fragrant, giving off a repellent scent to keep ants and aphids away from the garden.

Is Neem oil safe for African violets?

It is best to use something natural like Neem oil. If you cannot find that, whatever you use should be listed as safe for African violets. Diseases commonly found on violets are powdery mildew (a grayish-white film on leaves and stem) and botrytis (rotting at base of stem and leaves).

How do you water African violets?

Watering: Keep soil moist to dry, and allow soil around roots to dry out before watering to encourage blooming. Water from the bottom with room temperature water by placing the plastic grower's pot in water, and allowing the plant to absorb the water ( not more than 30 minutes ).

What is the crown of an African violet?

What is the crown of an African violet plant? Crown is a plant term that describes one single center of growth, including all the leaves that developed from that center of growth. In African violets, the new leaves grow from the center of the crown.

Can African violets get spider mites?

Two-Spotted Spider Mites are normally light green with dark spots just behind the head. All Spider Mites feed on the undersides of leaves and produce bronze-colored webs which cover the leaves and stems of African Violets. The damage they cause is compounded by the fact that many mites carry Botrytis.

Do African violets get aphids?

Although African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) hail from Africa, lots of people in the United States grow them as indoor plants. They are easy care and beautiful, blooming most of the year, but that doesn't make them free of aphids or other pests.

What animal eats violet leaves?

Grouse, juncos, mourning doves, and small mammals eat violet seeds and wild turkeys eat their roots; deer and cottontail rabbits eat the foliage of violets.

Can you use insecticidal soap on African violets?

Insecticidal soaps kill off aphids and are safe to use inside your home. ... To work, the spray needs to smother the aphids. Repeat treatment every four to seven days until you spot no more aphids on your African violet.

What do cyclamen mites look like?

Adult cyclamen mites are minute, elliptical, semi-transparent, orange-pink and shiny, with eight legs. They are about 1/100 inch long and cannot be seen without magnification. The hind pair of legs in the female is threadlike, and those of the male are pincer-like. ... All stages of the mite are found on infested plants.

What causes brown spots on African violet leaves?

The leaves of your African violet may start to turn brown if the soil is too moist or too dry. ... Wait until the top inch of soil is dry to the touch before watering again, and avoid getting water on the crown of the plant. Excess water on the leaves can lead to brown spots and disease.

Can I use vinegar to kill aphids?

Get out a spray bottle and fill it 1/3 of the way with distilled white vinegar and the rest of the way with water. This will kill the aphids and larvae on contact. Place a square of aluminum foil around the base of plants affected by aphids.

How do you get rid of aphids once and for all?

Make a homemade insecticidal soap, a low-toxicity bug control solution that will desiccate the soft bodies and kill the aphids without doing harm to your plants. Simply mix a few teaspoons of liquid dish soap with one quart of water, then spray or wipe the solution onto the leaves, stems, and buds of the plant.

What kills aphids but not bees?

Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to the infested plants if the other measures don't work. This will kill any insects it touches but if you watch carefully you will be able to avoid applying the product to any bees. Insects that come after the oil or soap is applied won't be harmed by it.

What smell do aphids hate?

Marigolds, known for being able to drive away all kinds of pests, have a scent that keeps aphids far away. Catnip, known for attracting cats, also has a way of repelling most other pests, aphids included. Some other fragrant herbs, such as fennel, dill, and cilantro are also known to deter aphids.

How do you make an aphid spray?

A few tablespoons of liquid dish or insecticidal soap diluted in a pint of water is the simplest way to make a natural aphid killer spray for that aphid infestation. After mixing the water and soap mixture, fill up a squirt bottle, take a dish sponge and head out to your garden.

How do you control aphids organically?

Controlling Aphids Organically

Squash and Remove. Start by checking plants regularly for any signs of aphids. ...
Blast Them Off. Try blasting small infestations of aphids off your plants with a jet of water from a hosepipe. ...
Spray Soapy Water. ...
Cover Vulnerable Vegetables. ...
Attract Aphid Predators.