Will Vinegar Kill Aphids on Hibiscus Plants? {Why Aphids Like Hibiscus Plants}

Do you wish to get aphids away from your hibiscus plants? Will Vinegar Kill Aphids on Hibiscus Plants?

What is the best way to repel aphids in your garden?

In this article, we will discover if and how vinegar kills aphids on hibiscus plants.

Will Vinegar Kill Aphids on Hibiscus Plants?

Yes. Vinegar  is an effective way of preventing aphids and plenty of other insects from harming your hibiscus plants.

Try to not apply the vinegar directly onto the hibiscus plant itself. Instead, use a spray bottle and add 1 tablespoon of vinegar with water. Spray this solution on the tops of and bottom of hibiscus plant leaves only.

This is where aphids do their damage and the scent of vinegar will make them search for a more desirable place. Add an extra punch by mixing in 3-4 drops of dish soap as well to this spray bottle for a lethal combo to kill or repel aphids from your hibiscus plant.

How Do Aphids Harms Hibiscus Plants?

Hibiscus plants are desired because of their beautiful flowers. Bugs and insects love them too. We need to get them away from our hibiscus plants without harming the plant itself.

An aphid can spread diseases and bacteria all over your hibiscus plant. The plant will be harmed and could wither or spread bacteria to its neighboring plants in your garden.

Aphids need to be treated as pests and removed off the leaves of hibiscus plants as soon as you see them. This is an ongoing battle with nature’s tiniest creatures who desire the same plants we do.

Which Insects Destroy Hibiscus Plants?

There are many insects that are attracted to hibiscus plants. Aphids are the worst of them all because of their sheer numbers and capability to take over the hibiscus plant.

The list we have for you include the most common insects that harm hibiscus plants:

  • aphids
  • ants
  • thrips
  • coast flies
  • mosquitoes

Fungus is also an issue. These nuisances infect a hibiscus plant and it’s up us to instill better plant management strategies.

What Is The Best Spray For Killing Aphids On Hibiscus Plants?

The best spray in this instance is one that you can make by yourself. We advocate for using vinegar with dish soap and an extra bonus essential oil if you have it handy. Here we go:

  1. Add 1 tablespoon of vinegar to a spray bottle
  2. Add 3-4 drops of dish soap.
  3. Add 3-4 drops of neem oil.
  4. Fill the rest of the bottle with water.
  5. Spray 1-2 times a week.
  6. Repeat for 3 weeks.

If the infestation continues, consider using insecticidal soap instead of dish soap. Neem oil is strong and aphids can’t stand its odor. It’s a natural oil that won’t harm your hibiscus plant.

You can try neem oil on its own with water or add it to your vinegar and dish soap solution.

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Which Predators Eat Aphids Off Hibiscus Plants?

The most natural way of letting nature work its magic is by balancing pests with predators. If aphids get out of control in your garden and specifically on your hibiscus plants, then you can employ some bigger insects to eat them.

They are as follows:

  • beetles
  • dragonflies
  • ladybugs
  • green or brown lacewings
  • damsel bugs
  • parasitic wasps

Several species of beetles including ladybird, soldier and rove beetles will feast on aphids. They are our favorite predators of aphids.

Why Do Aphids Like Hibiscus plants?

Hibiscus plants contain sap that insects like to suck. The flowers contain this sap and are fragile to aphid attacks. They will wither and die from the infestation.

A hibiscus plant will not be able to produce photosynthesis as well when it is weakened. The leaves will turn yellow and the hibiscus plant will eventually die.

Do Aphids Eat Hibiscus Plants?

Yes. Aphids are the most common insects that invade hibiscus plants. They are either black, green or white and you may see them on the bud, flowers or leaves of the hibiscus plant.

The plant is desired by aphids because of the nutrient-rich liquid contained within it. With these nutrients, the aphids can reproduce at an alarming rate.

They will grow their population directly on the hibiscus plant and weaken it. Ladybugs and beetles will try to feast on the aphids that remain on hibiscus plants, but you may need to step with a few remedies of your own to repel or kill them.

Will Vinegar Kill Aphids on the Hibiscus Flower?

Yes. Vinegar is an age-old remedy against nuisance pests. This includes aphids on hibiscus plants. They will be either repelled by the strong odor of vinegar or they will die on contact.

Spraying the hibiscus plants will vinegar mixed with water will prevent aphids from taking hold of your prized hibiscus plants. Spray the tops and underside of the leaves without directly applying vinegar to the roots or stem if possible.

You can always give your hibiscus plants a rinse with a garden hose after 30 minutes once the aphids have dissipated or died.

Can You Put Vinegar on Hibiscus?

Yes. Do so sparingly. Use a tablespoon of vinegar in as much as 1 gallon of water in a spray bottle. The vinegar will raise the acidity of the plant by spraying it on the leaves of the hibiscus plant.

You do not need to directly spray the roots of the plant and you can wash off the vinegar easily if you wish.

Vinegar also dissipated with wind and rain. Vinegar will not be harmful to your hibiscus plant if you dilute it with water.

What Is the Ratio of Vinegar to Water to Kill Aphids?

Aphids will die on a plant that is sprayed with vinegar and water. This could take 10-12 hours and repeating the process each week is wise. Use as much as 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water.

A 1:3 ratio is all you need to kill aphids. Spray the underside of leaves and try not to spray the roots.

Aphids like to hide under leaves, but they cannot stand the pungent acidic odor of vinegar. This will either repel them or kill them if they are on the leaf that is sprayed with this solution.

How Do I Get Rid of Bugs on My Hibiscus?

Plenty of nature finest and smallest bugs like to dine on hibiscus plants. Thankfully, there are some simply remedies to get rid of them or prevent them from targeting our hibiscus plants.

Aphids

Aphids do not like the scent of vinegar and the adding dish soap will clog their pores. This will suffocate an aphid who dares to land on a hibiscus plant.

  1. Add 3-5 drops of dish soap into a spray bottle.
  2. Add a tablespoon of vinegar.
  3. Fill the spray bottle with water.
  4. Spray the tops and bottom of the leaves on your hibiscus plant.
  5. Do not spray the roots or stem.
  6. Wash off the soapy solution from the leaves after 30 minutes to 1 hour.
  7. Repeat this 1-2 times a week.

If this doesn’t solve your aphid problem, then you must switch out the dish soap and try insecticidal soap instead.

How Do I Get Rid of Aphids on My Hibiscus?

You can use a strong hose to blast your hibiscus plants without using anything else. Washing your hibiscus plants that are infested with aphids will knock them to the ground.

A strong water stream alone could be all you need to get rid of aphids. If you do not want aphids to come back, spray your hibiscus plants with neem oil and water from a spray bottle.

Add a few drops of neem oil to a bottle of water and spray it all over the leaves and stem of the hibiscus plant. This will be an excellent and natural repellant to keep aphids way.

Will Apple Cider Vinegar Kill Aphids?

Yes. Apple cider vinegar works just as well as white vinegar to kill aphids. You can mix 1 ounce of apple cider vinegar with 3 ounces of water.

Add both liquids into a spray bottle and begin attacking aphids that will no longer remain on your hibiscus plants.

Some of the stronger and stubborn aphids may survive up to 10-12 hours, but you will repeat this process 1-2 times a week to eventually send them a strong message.

They will either stay away from the plant or risk death. Aphids will choose the first option and leave your hibiscus plant alone.

Conclusion

Vinegar works. It’s the acetic acid in vinegar that does the trick. Most bugs can’t stand it and will die on contact or if they ingest it. If aphids haven’t already attacked the hibiscus plant, they will not do so any longer or risk dying when you spray the plant with vinegar and water.

Neem oil is also a strong contender for a natural method of killing aphids and in third place we give the credit to beetles who are natural predators of aphids.

Employing them along with your vinegar spray bottle keeps you in control of your garden and your hibiscus plants.

 

Thanks for visiting ThePestManagement.com for the best information to help you to make the pest control process easy, safe & affordable.

Jason Barrett

Hello, I'm Jason. I have 11 years of experience in dealing with pests. I try to provide you the best information that'll help you to make the pest control process easy & affordable