GROW LIKE MIKE: The Secret to Controlling Aphids on Houseplants

Ah, to be rid of pests forever!!!  Sounds nice, but is it possible?  Mike says:

As nice as it would be to be able to permanently keep aphids off plants, unfortunately that’s not really possible. There are, however, some fairly simple ways to keep aphids in check.

• Keep a plant as healthy as possible. A healthy plant can fight off insects. A stressed and unhealthy plant is much more susceptible to infestation by all insects and disease. How do you keep your plants healthy?  Give plants the correct amount of water, feed at the right time (not too much or too little, and not while the plant isn’t growing), and provide the plants’ ideal light and temperature conditions.
• Scout (look for) insects regularly. Look at the tops and undersides of leaves, along the stem, and at the soil line. If you do this, you can usually catch any insects that may be present when their numbers are low.
• See insects? Swiftly address the problem. If you find any Aphids there are several options available to control them quite easily.  Sometimes just a steady stream of water will be enough to knock them off the plant and give good control.  Another option is to mix a couple of drops of dish soap in a spray bottle and spray them.  This will kill them within a couple of days.  The spray needs to have direct contact with the aphid to work so be sure to get underneath the leaves.                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Horticultural oils are another option that are available at your local garden center and are very effective.  Again, direct contact of the oil to the pest is needed.  Always follow label directions.                                                                                                                                                       If you really struggle with controlling aphids, you can use a systemic insecticide. This is a insecticide that you apply to the soil, and then the plant takes in the insecticide from the soil and incorporates it into the stems and leaves. When a sucking insect like and aphid bites the plant, it feels the affects of the insecticide. (And dies!) This is a longer-term, less hands-on approach, but it might be more than you want or need. Your local garden center can help with this.  Always follow label directions.