Eliminate aphids: Natural and effective methods

Aphids are common cannabis pests that are easily treatable if recognised early:

**Recognise aphid species:**

*Green aphids:*

- Most common species on cannabis

- 2-4mm small, green insects

- Form large colonies

- Favour young shoots and leaves

- Multiply explosively

*Black aphids:*

- Dark to black colouring

- Often on stems and leaf stalks

- Harder to control than green ones

- Transmit viruses more frequently

- Favour cooler conditions

*White/grey aphids:*

- Rarer, but very harmful

- Mostly on roots (root lice)

- Difficult to detect

- Cause wilting and growth disorders

- Systemic treatment necessary

**Understanding damage patterns:**

*Direct damage:*

- Sting and suck plant sap

- Leaves curl upwards

- Yellow, curled leaf tips

- Slowing of growth

- Weakening of the entire plant

*Honeydew problems:*

- Sticky, sweet excretions

- Attract other pests

- Promote sooty mould fungi

- Block stomata (stomata)

- Reduce photosynthesis

*Virus transmission:*

- Aphids transmit plant viruses

- Mosaic virus common

- Irreversible damage

- Destroy infested plants

- Prevention reason no. 1

**Quick first aid:**

*Spraying with water:*

- Powerful jet of water

- Rinse aphids from plant

- Repeat daily

- Particularly effective for light infestations

- Can be combined with other methods

*Soapy water spray:*

- 10ml mild detergent per litre

- Thoroughly clean upper and lower leaf surfaces

- leave on for 15 minutes

- Rinse with clear water

- Daily until infestation is gone

*Alcohol spray:*

- 70% isopropanol with water 1:1

- Spray directly on aphids

- Kills on contact

- Apply only selectively

- Not in direct sunlight

**Biological antagonists:**

*Ladybirds:*

- Eat 50-100 aphids per day

- Larvae even more effective than adults

- Can be bought in garden centres

- Also buy eggs (larger population)

- Need more food after aphid elimination

*Lacewings:*

- Larvae are "aphid lions"

- Eat up to 200 aphids

- Very effective against all species

- Adults are harmless

- Long-term effect

*Gall midges:*

- Specialised on aphids

- Very small, inconspicuous beneficial insects

- Larvae live in aphid colonies

- Aphidoletes aphidimyza (available for purchase)

- Also active at low temperatures

*Ichneumon wasps:*

- Parasitise aphids

- Lay eggs in aphids

- Larvae eat aphids from the inside

- Aphidius species very effective

- For long-term control

**Organic sprays:**

*Neem oil formulation:*

- 5ml neem oil + 2ml emulsifier per litre

- Systemic and contact action

- Spray every 5-7 days

- Also preventive effect

- Not harmful to bees

*Garlic chilli extract:*

- 5 cloves of garlic + 2 chilli peppers

- infuse for 24 hours in 1 litre of water

- Strain and spray

- Strong deterrent effect

- Use every 3 days

*Nettle decoction:*

- 100g fresh nettles

- soak in 1 litre of water for 24 hours

- Ferment v