Aphids in rosemary
In the case of aphids, these are quite small insects, only a few millimeters long. They rarely have wings, but a proboscis with which they pierce the leaf from the underside and suck out the carbohydrate-rich sap. Their highly sugary excretions, the so-called honeydew, attract numerous other pests, such as ants. In addition, the sticky substance is often colonized by the sooty fungus, which covers the leaf with a black, greasy layer.
also read
- Common pests on rosemary and how to combat them
- Rosemary is not a houseplant
- Rosemary loves poor soil
How do you recognize an aphid infestation?
- Rosemary grows poorly.
- Rosemary sheds leaves and buds.
- The leaves cripple
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In addition, the pests, mostly of black color, are usually already with bare eye clearly visible. A strong stinging nettle stock has proven itself as a home remedy for aphids, but it has to be used several times over a few days. Soak about one kilo of freshly harvested and finely chopped nettles in approx. 10 liters of water and leave the mixture for approx. draw a day. This releases the nettle poisons from the plant. The aphids can also be removed with a soft soap solution.
Mealybugs and mealybugs on rosemary
Mealybugs or mealybugs are quite easy to spot. The tiny, white to pink-colored animals are surrounded by a protective cover that looks a lot like a cotton ball. This cover protects them at the same time from predators, but also from the cold. Mealybugs are very harmful to an infected plant. Not only do they feed on sap and thus weaken the plant, they also release a poison. Just like aphids, mealybugs excrete honeydew, which attracts other harmful insects and fungi. The animals love dry and warm air, which is why they often attack rosemary that is overwintered too warm.
Fight mealybugs with home remedies
As a first step, you can cut off heavily infested parts of the plant, the rest of the plant is finally held upside down under a strong jet of water and sprayed off. Then take a clean cloth, which you soak with a soft soap solution or with alcohol. Thoroughly wipe the whole plant with this cloth. The treatment should be carried out several times so that you really get all the lice and their eggs reliably.
Tips & Tricks
Plant lice mainly attack plants that are already weakened, for example due to incorrect care, a wrong location or a too warm one A place for wintering are no longer able to defend themselves. As a preventive measure, keep the humidity as high as possible, e.g. B. with the help of a spray bottle.
IJA
