Nymphaea Fidelity » Tropical water lily pests–aphids

What are aphids?

They are insects that feed on foliage of plants. They come in a variety of colors but we often see the green ones attacking tropical water lilies. Small numbers may not be noticeable but large populations can do some serious damage to your plants.

Controlling aphids

Believe it or not, the easiest way to control aphids is to detect them early and spray them off your plants. If you happen to have fish, they should find them to be a delicious treat. However, if your fish do not fancy them or their numbers appear endless, you may need some additional help.

Closeup of aphids

While there are several diy home remedies--we use a product called Triple Action Neem Oil. It is composed of the extract from neem oil which comes from the neem tree. This product works as a pesticide / fungicide / miticide. It is applied by mixing a few drops with pond water in a hand held sprayer. Apply in the early morning or late evening. Applying during the day time may burn your plants since this is a horticultural oil. If you do not have access to this product, we recommend searching for a product that is of similar composition--extract of neem oil.

Photo credit: Aphids. University of California IPM