There is much scientific brevity here. It works so I'm not going to write a full paper on it, just trying to demonstrate to you that this stuff is the shit.
Theory
Garlic contains certain chemicals such as sulfur that will harm and deter aphids.
Method
Garlic Solution - 3 to 4 Cloves of garlic (Allium sativum) sourced from common grocery variety (imported from China, bleh) was minced and dropped into tap water (approximately 4X the volume of the minced garlic, although up to 10X water should still be effective) inside a plastic bottle.
Live aphids (some died in transport) we're observed in the presence of the garlic solution versus a control (trying to drown them with tap water)
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| 6.4X Objective* Showing Metric Rule With Aphid on Pepper Flower |
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| 40X Objective* on Aphid |
*Wild Heerbrugg M3 Microscope with 10X Eyepiece
Observations
Control: Water had little to no effect on aphids. Their bodies seem to float above and so as seen in the video they are quite lively while floating atop. The effect of aerosolized water also did not seem to phase aphids while on the plants.
Garlic Solution: The moment the aphids touched the solution, activity slowed. Within 10 seconds of exposure, all subjects either had no movement or only tiny (end of arm twitching or similar) reactions.
Conclusion & Application
This stuff works well and is easy to synthesize yourself. Create your own garlic solution and upcycle an aerosol type container (our container of choice is eyeglass cleaner) to spray on effected plants and other areas where you think aphids may go. Spraying liberally will help control populations faster.
What you will find is they start dying off, turn black, and drop to the floor eventually. We've seen no adverse plant affects with the limited concentrations that are applied.
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