Sevin Not Killing Aphids – What To Do?

Sevin is an insecticide brand name known for killing over 500 species of bugs, including aphids. But you may notice that using the company’s products may not eliminate your aphid infestation problem. If so, what can you do in this situation? We researched the answer to this concern for you and here’s what we found.

If using Sevin’s insecticides isn’t effective in killing aphids, you may try the following solutions:

  • Use the garden hose
  • Apply soapy water
  • Use neem oil
  • Get help from natural predators

Keep in mind that proper implementation of these solutions is often necessary to deter and eliminate aphids from your yard. So continue reading as we talk about these methods in greater detail. We'll also tackle other pieces of important information about aphids to help prevent these pests from entering your lawn.

Spraying flowers with Sevin pesticide, Sevin Not Killing Aphids - What To Do?

What Will Sevin Spray Kill?

Sevin’s insect killers can kill over 500 pests. Some of these bugs that the brand’s products can get rid of are:

  • Ants
  • Black flies
  • Cockroaches
  • Grasshoppers
  • Lace bugs
  • Silverfish
  • Spiders

Among the massive list of insects Sevin can kill, the aphid is one of them. But it’s still important to note that Sevin’s insecticides may not kill the infestation at its source. So you may still have aphids scurrying on your property even if you already eliminated a fairly large number of them.

Spraying flowers with pesticide

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You can also check out our post on how to use Sevin spray on vegetables to learn the right way to use this product on your produce.

How Do You Get Rid Of Aphids Permanently?

A colony of Aphids gathering on a stem

Aside from using Sevin, other solutions exist to help you kill aphids from your property permanently. Some of the methods you may try are:

Use The Garden Hose

You can eliminate reasonably minor aphid infestations by spraying your yard with water from the garden hose. Aphids are generally delicate insects and will either die or get thrown off plants with a fairly strong blast of water.

Take note that one hosing session won't typically be enough to eliminate an aphid infestation from your property permanently. So you might need to hose your garden frequently for about two weeks before you'll see a significant decrease in the aphid population in your yard.

Watch the video below to see how to use your garden hose on aphid-infested leaves:

Apply Soapy Water

In addition to using ordinary water, you can create a soapy solution and spray it on the pests. Prepare this solution by adding a few tablespoons of liquid detergent to a bucket of water. Then, scoop a reasonable amount of the mixture with a spray bottle.

Use the spray bottle liberally on your aphid-infested plants to get rid of the insects. But perhaps the best dish soap to use is Castile because it doesn’t contain artificial fragrances, degreasers, and other chemicals that might potentially harm your plants.

With the help of a Castile soap solution, it'll dissolve the aphids' outer shells. Also, this mixture is typically an eco-friendly solution, allowing you to use it on your lawn without harming the nearby animal or human life.

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Use Neem Oil

As its name implies, the Neem essential oil comes from the tree of the same name. Although often used for applications like aromatherapy, neem oil can also help you in combatting insects like aphids on your property.

Neem oil has a chemical called Azadirachtin that interrupts the aphids’ normal bodily functions. Applying this essential oil to your plants may not kill the pests immediately. However, you may see a large decline in the aphid population on your lawn over time.

To use neem oil on your plants to kill aphids, mix it with dish soap and warm water in a spray bottle. Ensure that the neem oil you use is raw and unfiltered. Otherwise, the neem oil may not get you the desired results.

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Watch this video to gain additional insight into using neem oil to help control aphids:

Get Help From Natural Predators

Aphids have natural predators that you can set loose in your infested garden. Some of the aphids’ enemies are:

  • Ladybugs
  • Green lacewings
  • Damsel bugs
  • Soldier beetles
  • Midges
  • Hoverflies

Some of these predators can attack and/or feed on aphids during either of their young or adult stages. Certain aphid hunters would also infect aphid eggs and larvae as parasites, killing the bugs before they can cause significant damage.

Also, some fragrant plants can help deter aphids from entering your property and feasting on your plants. Some excellent candidates are:

  • Basil
  • Thistle
  • Allium
  • Rosemary
  • Savory

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What Causes Aphid Infestation?

A huge colony of orange aphids

Aphids often become attracted to organic fertilizer. Certain plants may also lure these insects into the property. Some examples are:

  • Squash
  • Melon
  • Potato
  • Lettuce
  • Bok choy

Also, aphids can transmit viruses from one plant to another. So if you see a plant damaged from aphids feasting on it, it’s likely that other florae in the area will become harmed as well. Immediate action is often necessary to prevent plant casualties from an aphid infestation.

What Are The Symptoms Of Aphid Infestation?

Some of the signs of an aphid infestation are:

  • Dried and/or wilted leaves
  • Yellow spots or discolorations on leaves
  • Curled or deformed leaves

Take note that a massive aphid gathering can potentially kill a plant. However, it usually takes a large colony of this pest before it can kill a plant completely.

How Long Do Aphids Live For?

A branch filled with green aphids

The average aphid will live for about 1 month. But one mature aphid may lay three to six eggs daily. If left unchecked, an infestation can occur quickly, particularly since aphids reproduce asexually. In other words, these pests don’t need mates to reproduce.

Are Aphids Harmful To Humans If Ingested?

Accidentally ingesting aphids won't generally cause significant harm to human health. Still, it’s best to rinse produce with clean water before consuming them. That way, you can remove aphids and other insects from your crops before consumption.

Also, aphids may bite human skin. However, the harm done by this action is usually insignificant and shouldn’t cause fear or worry.

How Effective Is Sevin?

A colony of green aphids gathering at a branch

Sevin’s line of chemical insecticides is reasonably effective in killing certain insect species. However, Sevin recently changed the chemical nature of some of its products.

Before, the company used carbaryl in their pesticides, which is a known chemical compound for killing and preventing insect infestations like fleas and lice. But the manufacturer took out carbaryl in some of their products and replaced it with bifenthrin and zeta-cu permethrin.

Take note that these two chemicals are still reasonably effective in eliminating bugs. But these compounds may not be as effective as carbaryl in getting rid of some insects, which may include aphids.

Final Words

Spraying flowers with Sevin pesticide

Remember, it’s not the end if using Sevin isn't getting rid of the aphids on your plants. Instead, you can employ other solutions like using soapy water or neem oil. Another option is to seek the assistance of aphids’ natural predators, such as damsel bugs and soldier beetles.

If you like this post, here are a couple of other great reads you can check out:

How Big Are Springtails?

How To Get Rid Of Black Ants In The Kitchen?