Name: Aphids
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Hemiptera
Suborder: Sternorrhyncha
Family: Anoeciidae
Superfamily: Aphidoidea
Habitat:
You will find aphid colonies on the underside of leaves, the tips of branches or anywhere there is new growth. An initial infestation of aphids is usually localized, but can spread quickly if allowed to developed unchecked.
Food:
Aphids damage plants by sucking the sap from leaves, twigs, stems or roots and can sometimes transmit plant virus diseases in the process.
Method of Travel:
Crawling, Flying
Prevention:
1. Repair screens and weather-stripping around doors and windows to keep winged adults away from houseplants.
2. Inspect new houseplants before bringing them into your home. If necessary, isolate and treat the plant.
Steps to Control:
1. Examine plants weekly to determine if you need to take action against a new infestation.
2. Pruning and destroying infested leaves or plant sections may also help prevent plant diseases from spreading and reduce the development of new colonies.
3. As aphids like the colour yellow, place pans of water and yellow food colouring close to observed infestations to attract and drown them. This method is useful in vegetable gardens.
4. Good, long lasting, low-toxic methods of insect control can be done with Knock Down Indoor and Plant Flying & Crawling Insect Killer or other Knock Down products listed below.