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How to Get Rid of Aphids in Hops

The hop is a specialty crop commonly grown to bitter and flavor beer. The hop aphid is hops' most common and dangerous pest and can destroy an entire crop if left untreated. Hop aphids extract cell sap and nutrients with their sucking mouthparts and can cause serious plant damage. They reproduce rapidly and can cause an infestation that can build quickly. If you discover aphids on your hops plants treat them immediately before they harm your plants.

Things You'll Need

Rubber gloves
Soapy water
2 tsp. liquid dish soap
Spray bottle with water
Neem oil
Ladybugs

Instructions

- 1
  Pick aphids off your hops plants to control mild infestations. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and hand-pick the aphids off and put them in a dish of soapy water to kill them.
- 2
  Make a homemade insecticide solution to control larger aphid infestations. Add 2 tsp. liquid dish soap to a spray bottle filled with water and shake the solution well.
- 3
  Spray your hop plants concentrating on the undersides of leaves where aphids lay their eggs. Re-treat the solution once per week to remove aphids and prevent future infestations.
- 4
  Apply neem oil to your hops plants' stems to deter aphids. Neem oil is a nontoxic natural insecticide that kills aphids and their eggs.
- 5
  Purchase ladybugs from your local garden center or plant nursery. Ladybugs are natural predators of aphids and will effectively control them.

Insects & Science