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Aphids on strawberry

strawberry with aphids

What's Happening

Aphids cluster on the undersides of new strawberry leaves and stems, sucking sap and causing the leaves to pucker and distort. They secrete honeydew, which attracts ants and leads to sooty mold.

How to Fix It

  1. 1

    Blast the foliage with a strong stream of water from a hose to physically knock the aphids off.

  2. 2

    Spray the undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or a dilute neem oil solution in the early evening.

  3. 3

    Control any ant populations in the container, as ants actively 'farm' and protect aphids.

How to Prevent It

Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, which creates the flush of tender, sap-rich growth that aphids prefer.

Related Problems

Same Problem on Other Plants

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes aphids on my plant?
Aphids cluster on the undersides of new strawberry leaves and stems, sucking sap and causing the leaves to pucker and distort. They secrete honeydew, which attracts ants and leads to sooty mold.
How do I fix aphids?
Blast the foliage with a strong stream of water from a hose to physically knock the aphids off.. Spray the undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or a dilute neem oil solution in the early evening..
How do I prevent aphids from happening again?
Avoid excess nitrogen fertilizer, which creates the flush of tender, sap-rich growth that aphids prefer.