Through its sweet sap, cherry laurel attracts both ants and aphids like a magnet. An aphid infestation, in particular, can spiral out of control pretty quickly if left unchecked. If you want to keep your plants healthy and stress-free, you’ll need to act fast. Here’s the lowdown on what to do.
Why Aphids Love Your Cherry Laurel
Cherry laurels have tiny nectar glands located on the underside of their leaves that secrete a sugary juice. Ants love this stuff, and aphids find it just as delicious. The scent alone is enough to draw them in, and once they start feasting, they multiply rapidly. The good news? You don’t need to spray harsh chemicals all over your garden to fix the problem. There are some very effective DIY remedies that get the job done naturally.
If you catch the infestation early, sometimes a simple blast of water is all you need. If only a few spots are affected, grab your garden hose, a spray bottle, or even a high-powered water gun and give those leaves a good rinse. Aphids don’t have a very strong grip, so a firm stream of water will knock them right off.
Natural Remedies for Aphids on Cherry Laurel
Here’s what works best to get rid of them:
- Liquid castile soap (soft soap)
- Lacewing larvae
- Parasitic wasps
For a more stubborn infestation, try a soapy water solution. Mix some liquid castile soap with water and wash down the cherry laurel leaves. Try to catch the aphids as they wash off so you can dispose of them away from your plants—that way, they won’t just crawl right back up.
Another great “set it and forget it” method is using beneficial insects. You can actually buy natural predators like parasitic wasps or lacewing larvae at specialty garden shops or online. These “good bugs” will feast on the aphids until the buffet is empty, and then they’ll move on to find food elsewhere. It’s nature’s own pest control!
