Getting rid of aphids on pepper plants
Jun 20, 2009 aphids, brown spots, ladybugs, peppers
First of all I am a little embarrassed that I let the infestation get this bad before noticing. I unfortunately set the grow box to have the sunrise at 1:00am and the lights always were off by the time I got home. Though the cause is not as important as how to get rid of them.
If this plant was outside my local lady bug population would have kept these buggers in check though they seemed to thrive without the vicious predators. For an outdoor plant a quick high pressure spray of water on the the leaves (as well as underside of leaves) would take care of the problem. Though this does not kill the aphids, they will starve to death before they make it anywhere to do any more damage.
This has not been my first battle with aphids, so fortunately I had some insecticidal soap on hand. I sprayed the entire plant from the top and bottom. I removed the major yellowing leaves and did another quick spray. Now if you don’t have any insecticidal soap, or just want to save $5 on buying a bottle here are a couple of proven recipes:
Simple Aphid Killer Spray
- 1 tsp dishwashing soap
- Fill spray bottle with water
Directions: Shake and spray liberally on tops and bottom of leaves ensuring aphids are covered completely.
Complex Aphid Killer Spray
- 1.5 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon Murphy’s Oil Soap
- 1 tablespoon Vegetable Oil
- 1 tablespoon Vinegar
- 1 gallon water
Directions: Pour into spray bottle and spray liberally on tops and bottom of leaves ensuring aphids are covered completely.
Extra Spicy Aphid Killer Spray
- 3 hot peppers chopped finely
- 1 quart of water
Directions: Mix peppers with water and let seep overnight. Strain and pour into spray bottle and spray liberally on tops and bottom of leaves ensuring aphids are covered completely. WARNING: You care not to get this spray in your eyes.
US Department of Agriculture Mix
- 2 tsp dishwashing soap
- 1 cup of vegetable oil
- Fill spray bottle with water
Directions: Shake and spray liberally on tops and bottom of leaves every 9-10 days, ensuring aphids are covered completely.
If none of these solutions work, squish those buggers with your fingers being sure to include a sinister laugh while doing it. Which even if you are squeamish, this is what you will see if you let them have their way.
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June 21st, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Sadly, once they get in your room, it is more about control than prevention. Thanks for the great recipes.
June 27th, 2009 at 4:26 PM
I've used the USDA's version last year. Worked pretty good.
July 1st, 2009 at 7:47 AM
Red, that is very true. Funny how problem appears to be taken care of then out of nowwhere bugs everywhere… I did have one case of defeating aphids indoors. On a peppermint plant, though I did cut it off at soil level and let it come back
Web4Deb, when my store bought supply runs out think of trying the USDA's as well. But for just a bit of irony almost want to try the pepper recipe so the plant can actually fight back 
July 8th, 2009 at 1:17 PM
Thank you for these "recipes". And I love your blog!
July 10th, 2009 at 2:29 AM
i'm fed up with aphids!!!! i have 3pots of habanero peppers and every time i see those APHIDS i take my spray bottle and spray them off, but a few days later,THEY'RE BACK UGHHHHH. sooo, yesterday i dug out the one pot of peppers of their original planter and cleaned the plants off, then i planted them in a different planter, the other 2 pots of peppers still have aphids on them. if it keeps the little critters off of that plant, i will do the same with the other two. if not, them i'm sure to use one of the solution sprays. the USDA mix looks to be assuring. thankyou, wish me luck
August 3rd, 2009 at 11:52 AM
Last year I used a mix of water and Fels-Naptha bar soap. I use a pressure tank so its a really fine mist. Good luck and hope your peppers hang in there!
August 5th, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Fortunately for me the weather got too warm to keep the plants inside and the next day I say a swarm of ladybugs attacking the aphids. Definately the most effective way of elimiating them.
December 28th, 2009 at 6:36 PM
the stuff in the link goes a long way and works extremely well.