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Many growers choose to grow crops in hydroponics because there is less risk of pest infestations. However, there is one common pest that loves the nutrient density of hydroponically grown crops, and that is the aphid. An aphid is a parasitic insect that is about 1/8th of an inch when fully grown and comes in a variety of colors, like yellow, green, white, and brown. Aphids are commonly found in colonies along the stems and underside of leaves.
So, how do you get rid of these pesky aphids in hydroponics without damaging your crops? Find out all of this and more in our guide to follow. You’ll learn how aphids get into hydroponic systems, how fast they can spread, and tips on how to get rid of them with the right products and methods.
How Do Aphids Get Into Hydroponic Systems?
Although aphids are typically wingless, some adults (called spring migrants) develop wings when areas become overcrowded. As a result, they can enter your hydroponic system easily by flying into the area from outside. (Source)
Another way they can get into your hydroponics is if you introduce a new plant that is infested with them. Since crops are typically planted close together, whether it’s an outdoor or indoor hydroponic setup, aphids can easily move from one plant to another.
Furthermore, if you’re growing crops that aphids favor, such as lettuce, spinach, cucumbers, and eggplants, you’re more at risk of an infestation because these crops will attract them.
How Fast Can Aphids Spread in Hydroponic Systems?
Female aphids reproduce at a rapid rate, so they can spread throughout your hydroponic garden in one to two weeks. For most of the summer months, wingless females can give live birth instead of laying eggs. During winter, females will lay eggs that can survive the colder months and will hatch in the spring. This brings us to the aphid lifecycle.
- When the aphid eggs hatch in spring, only wingless females are born.
- Each of these female aphids reproduces for up to 30 days without males
- They can give birth to 60-100 live nymphs.
- These nymphs will then mature and can produce offspring within a week, especially when temperatures are high.
Aphids can also spread in indoor hydroponic systems because they lack natural predators. This gives you a clear indication of just how rapidly aphids can spread throughout your hydroponic crops if you don’t tackle the problem immediately.
Ways Aphids Can Damage Your Hydroponic Crops
Like other hydroponic pests such as spider mites and whiteflies, aphids damage your crops by sucking the sap from plant stems, the veins of leaves, and even flower buds. As a result, your plants become weak and are more susceptible to diseases and fungi. You may notice the following problems with an aphid infestation:
- Stunted plant growth
- Leaves that begin to twist or curl
- Stunted or dead shoots
- Yellowing leaves, especially new ones
- Some aphids can cause galls on roots and leaves
Another problem with aphids is that they inject plants with saliva while they feed, so they can digest the sap better. After this process, they secrete a substance called honeydew.
The problem with honeydew is that it’s a sugary substance that can attract other types of pests, such as ants. Since honeydew is also a sticky substance, it can cause leaves to stick together and increase the risk of sooty mold growth.
Tips on How to Get Rid of Aphids in Hydroponic Systems
Although aphids can spread rapidly from one crop to another in hydroponics, there are ways you can get rid of them using the right methods and products. In this section, we give you practical tips to get rid of these tiny pests without damaging your crops.
Give Your Crops a Blast of Water
One of the easiest ways you can get rid of aphids is by giving your crops a heavy spray of water. Aphids will need a strong blast of water to dislodge them from the crops. However, this method is only effective if you do it early on in the season and before infestations become severe.
The downside to this method is that you can’t blast new or delicate crops with high-pressure water because it can damage them. Some growers also mention physically knocking them off into a bucket of soap water, but this isn’t effective for commercial growers, as it will be labor-intensive. (Source)
Use an Eco-Friendly Pesticide
The best method to get rid of these pests is to use an eco-friendly aphid spray like Protection Plus. This insecticide is a broad-spectrum product that’s designed for commercial crop protection. It works by breaking down the insect’s exoskeleton and can eliminate aphids in as little as 2 minutes after contact.
Because Protection Plus has a mechanical mode of action, it prevents insect resistance. When applied correctly, it won’t leave any residue, avoiding blocking of the plant’s stomata. Unlike oil-based sprays, like neem oil, Protection Plus is a water-based formula that ensures plants can continue to photosynthesize effectively.
What’s more, Protection Plus can also kill off other pests that aphids attract, such as ants and even spiders. Apply this spray on hydroponic crops in the morning or in the evening and repeat application regularly. While Protection Plus effectively eliminates within 24 hours of application, it is good IPM protocol practice to apply weekly.
Manage Your Growing Environment
Aphids thrive in warm, humid conditions, so regular inspections are especially important during spring and summer when populations multiply quickly. Good hygiene, airflow, and monitoring can reduce outbreaks before they become costly.
Here are practical ways to manage your growing environment:
- Inspect plants weekly for early signs of aphids, such as curling leaves or sticky residue.
- Maintain clean growing systems by sterilizing tools, trays, and reservoirs between crop cycles.
- Regulate humidity and temperature to discourage aphid reproduction.
- Remove infested plant material immediately to stop further spread.
- Introduce insect netting or fine mesh after pesticide treatment to prevent aphids from entering the system.
- Encourage steady air circulation with fans to keep conditions less favorable for pests.
- Quarantine new plants before adding them to your hydroponic setup.
Use Sticky Traps as a Monitoring Tool
Sticky traps are brightly colored cards coated with a sticky surface that capture flying insects such as aphids, whiteflies, and fungus gnats. Yellow traps are most effective since many pest species are drawn to this color. Place them around your hydroponic setup, so you can track pest activity, identify infestation hotspots, and determine migration patterns.
Traps should be inspected weekly and replaced when covered or dirty to maintain accuracy. While sticky traps can help reduce minor infestations in smaller hydroponic systems, they serve best as a monitoring tool. Commercial growers benefit more from using Protection Plus every seven days with spray equipment for consistent, large-scale aphid control.
Final Thoughts – The Safest Way to Get Rid of Aphids in Hydroponics
For hydroponic systems, Protection Plus gives you the safest and most effective way to eliminate aphid infestations without compromising plant health. This eco-friendly insecticide can be applied throughout the entire growing process and is safe for use on a wide range of food-based crops that aphids typically target, like tomatoes, lettuce, and eggplant.
Because it leaves no residue when applied correctly, it prevents the long-term damage caused by other types of oil-based sprays. With consistent results and no complex mixing required, it makes pest control easier for commercial growers. Take control of your hydroponic system today and choose Protection Plus for clean, efficient pest management that works.