Aphids are a very common plant disease. Fortunately, they can be easy to control because aphids are visible to the naked eye. So if you've found aphids on your plant, you don't need to panic just yet. There is a good chance that your plant can still last for many more years.
Damage to the plant
The greatest danger aphids bring are the viruses they can potentially transmit. Aphids bite their way into plant's veins, which can put plants at risk of infection. In addition, aphids also leave honeydew, which is a sticky substance that attracts mold and fungus. Aphids are not generally deadly to plants but can be if they are not controlled. A large infestation can make a plant's leaves turn yellow and eventually fall off from lack of nutrition.
Treatment
In addition to chemicals, there are a number of other methods you can use to control aphids. First, try cutting off your plant's infected leaves to prevent a further spread. Spraying your plant with a jet of water can also remove most aphids (make sure to use cold water). Also, do not give your plant too much water or extra nutrients while it is infected, as aphids are attracted to highly-nutritious plants. A final tip is to fill a plant sprayer with detergent and spray it onto the infected leaves every few days.
Cause
Aphids spread by jumping between plants and by hitchhiking on people's clothing. They generally come from outside the house unless other houseplants are already infected, so aphid infestations have little to do with how you care for your plants.
Prevention
It is quite difficult to prevent aphids, as they can easily be brought into the house from the outdoors. Make sure to keep plants that are already infected far away from your other houseplants and do not leave plants directly in the way of a draft. Also, ensure that you check your plants regularly for aphids so that they can be controlled before they spread to other plants. An important tip to prevent aphids is to not over water or over fertilize, as aphids like plants with high nitrogen levels and soft new growth. Instead, opt for organic fertilizers that release nutrients more slowly.
