Natural Ways to Get Rid of Aphids on Pepper Plants

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Robby

One of the easiest, tastiest snacks you can make is pickled banana peppers! We always have a jar in our fridge to dress up sandwiches and eggs. It is not uncommon for us to throw a pickled banana pepper on top of a buttery cracker and a piece of cheddar cheese. Midnight snack anyone?

Banana peppers are one of our favorite varieties to grow in the garden. They’re tasty, prolific, and can be used in many recipes. Unlike some of the spicier peppers that we grow, we have no issue offloading banana peppers to friends and family.

Some people might be afraid of pickling with fear that it is too difficult. However, the process is much easier than you may think! You can pickle banana peppers using a quick pickling method, or by water bath canning. It all depends on how long you wish to keep your peppers good for.

We eat up our pickled banana peppers quick, so we typically opt for the quick pickling process. These pickles are also known as refrigerator pickles. They are not shelf stable, and they are stored in the fridge and consumed quickly.

If you are looking for a guide to preserving your peppers for long-term storage, we recommend following the USDA guide to home canning.

Aphids are a common pest that can do serious damage to pepper plants. These small sap-sucking insects attack the leaves, stems flowers and fruit of pepper plants, stunting growth and reducing yields. While chemical insecticides are effective at controlling aphids, many gardeners prefer natural methods that are safe for people, pets and beneficial insects. The good news is there are several eco-friendly options for getting rid of aphids on pepper plants.

What Do Aphids Look Like?

Aphids are tiny soft-bodied insects that come in a variety of colors like green, yellow brown, red or black. Most species have a pear-shaped body and long legs and antennae. They may be winged or wingless. Aphids often cluster together in large groups on the undersides of leaves or on stems.

Signs of an aphid infestation include:

  • Curled, deformed and yellowing leaves
  • Sticky honeydew residue on leaves and stems
  • Stunted plant growth

It’s important to inspect the undersides of leaves regularly to spot aphids early before they get out of control.

Natural Ways to Control Aphids

If you find aphids on your pepper plants, here are some effective natural remedies:

1. Blast Them Off With Water

A forceful spray from the garden hose is often enough to dislodge aphids from leaves and stems. Focus on the undersides of leaves and crevices on stems where aphids hide. Doing this 2-3 times a week can help control light infestations.

2. Apply Insecticidal Soap

Insecticidal soaps made from potassium salts of fatty acids kill aphids on contact by dissolving their exoskeletons. Look for commercial products or make your own by mixing 2 1⁄2 tablespoons of insecticidal soap with 1 gallon of water. Spray liberally on infested plants every 5-7 days until aphids are gone. Avoid applying in extreme heat.

3. Use Neem Oil

Extracted from the seeds of the neem tree, neem oil interrupts the life cycle of insects. It’s most effective against young, developing aphids. Mix according to label directions and spray plants, including the undersides of leaves. Apply weekly for 2-3 weeks. Always test on a few leaves first as neem oil can burn some plants.

4. Apply Diatomaceous Earth

The microscopic, razor-sharp particles of diatomaceous earth (DE) damage the waxy coating on insect exoskeletons, causing dehydration and death. Dust leaves, stems and soil around pepper plants with food-grade DE. Reapply after rain or watering. Avoid breathing in DE dust.

5. Encourage Natural Predators

Ladybugs, lacewings, hoverflies, predatory wasps and many species of birds eat aphids. Attract these beneficial insects by planting nectar-rich flowers like daisies, asters and mint nearby. You can also buy live ladybugs to release.

6. Use Reflective Mulch

Silver-colored plastic mulch repels aphids and other pests while blocking weeds. Spread reflective mulch around pepper plants, leaving holes for plants to grow through. The reflected light confuses insects.

7. Apply a Strong Water Spray

A simple strong spray of water can help wash away aphid populations. Focus on the undersides of leaves and stems where they hide. It’s best to do this early in the day so the foliage has time to dry out.

8. Wipe Them Away

For small infestations, dip a cotton swab in alcohol and use it to manually wipe aphids off leaves and stems. Check the undersides of leaves carefully. Destroy the cotton swab after use so aphids don’t spread.

9. Remove Heavily Infested Growth

If aphids are concentrated on a few leaves or stems, simply prune those parts off. Remove and destroy the infested trimmings – don’t compost them. This can slow the spread of the infestation.

10. Apply a Garlic-Chili Spray

Aphids dislike the strong smell of garlic and capsaicin in chili peppers. Steep 3-4 crushed garlic cloves and small hot chili pepper in 2 cups of hot water for 24 hours. Strain and mix the liquid with 2 tbsp neem oil and 1 tsp dish soap. Add to 1 gallon of water and spray onto plants.

11. Use Companion Plantings

Planting onions, garlic, chives, petunias, marigolds and nasturtiums near peppers can help repel aphids. Their strong scents mask the smell of the peppers.

12. Avoid Excess Nitrogen

Too much nitrogen fertilizer results in fast, tender growth that attracts aphids. Go easy on high-nitrogen fertilizers and instead use compost and organic matter to enrich the soil. This results in slower, steady growth.

Prevent Aphids from Returning

While getting rid of existing aphids is important, prevention is ideal to avoid repeated infestations:

  • Check transplants carefully for signs of aphids before planting.

  • Use row covers early in the season to form a barrier against aphids.

  • Control ant populations – they farm and protect aphids.

  • Remove crop debris after harvest to eliminate overwintering sites.

  • Rotate pepper crops to different areas of the garden each year.

  • Plant nectar-rich flowers to attract beneficial insects that eat aphids.

  • Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap early in the season before aphids arrive.

  • Use reflective mulch early in the season to deter pests.

  • Grow resistant pepper varieties like Serrano, Anaheim, Ancho and Hungarian Wax.

With diligent monitoring and a combination of these organic, non-toxic remedies, you can keep ahead of aphids and protect your pepper crop. Focus on prevention first, then take swift action at the first signs of an infestation. With an eco-friendly pest management plan, your peppers will thrive aphid-free.

natural way to get rid of aphids on pepper plants

Step 5: Pour your brine over the peppers

The smoothest way to do this is by using a funnel. I would also recommend putting your jar of peppers on a pan or in a large bowl. This will make it easier to clean up if there is any spillage. At this point, you can pour your hot brine into the jar over your banana peppers. Make sure all the spices get in there too! You may have a bit of brine leftover which you can discard.

natural way to get rid of aphids on pepper plants

Use a spatula to go around the edge and remove the air bubbles.

How To Pickle Banana Peppers

We also have an easy-to-follow video tutorial on pickling banana peppers on YouTube. Here is our basic procedure for quick pickled banana peppers.

How to Get Rid of Aphids on Pepper Plants – Aphid Control in the Garden

FAQ

What is the best homemade aphid killer?

Dish Soap Mix – Just mix up a cup of vegetable oil or a pint of water with two teaspoons of dish soap. Then spray it right on the bugs.May 23, 2023

How do I get rid of aphids permanently naturally?

Soapy water. 1 tsp. of liquid soap in a gallon of water, spray it on the aphids, it will wash many off of the plant and it will kill all of the aphids it gets on. It is mild enough to not hurt the plants.

Does vinegar kill aphids naturally?

Make a vinegar spray: A vinegar spray can also be effective against aphids. Mix equal vinegar and water in a spray bottle, then spray the aphid-infested plants. Be careful with vinegar because it can harm plants if there is too much!

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