Treatment Planner
Aphids Treatment Plan
Why one treatment never works: Aphids are born pregnant. Females reproduce without mating and give birth to live young that are already carrying the next generation, so a handful becomes a colony in days. That is why a single spray fails: it kills what is on the plant and leaves the nymphs born the following morning untouched.
How bad is it?
Multiple stems affected, sticky honeydew visible on leaves or the surface below.
Expect this to take 2–3 weeks
Day 1
TodayPhysically remove the bulk of the colony.
Check for: The plant should look essentially clear immediately after the water blast. Expect some to reappear within 48 hours.
Days 2–7
Week 1Catch the nymphs born after the first pass.
Check for: Colony size should be dropping at each inspection. New growth tips coming in clean is the clearest good sign.
Week 2
Days 8–14Clear the honeydew and finish the population.
Check for: Seven days with no new clusters on new growth means you're clear.
Still not working?
Aphids back within a fortnight? Two usual causes. Ants — if they're still running the stems they are actively protecting and relocating the colony, so treat the ants first. Or root aphids, if the plant keeps declining with nothing visible above soil: those need beneficial nematodes applied as a soil drench, since foliar sprays never reach them.
Read the full aphids guide →Other treatment plans
Not certain this is what you have?
Use the diagnosis tool first →Get seasonal plant care reminders and pest alerts.