As summer closes and fall settles in, you may notice insect pests are settling in your greenhouse, too. Vegetation in your greenhouse provides an appetizing alternative to the outside garden. Aphids are a common greenhouse problem, and not the easiest to combat.

Keep them out! – Carefully monitoring plants you bring into your greenhouse is the first step in dealing with aphids. Choose healthy and vigorous plants, and spray them down with your garden hose to knock off any hitchhikers before you bring them into your greenhouse. If the plant has an obvious insect infestation, do not bring it into your greenhouse. Period. If you must, spray it with an insect control spray, or enclose it with a plastic bag in which you place an insecticide strip for two or three days. Hose your plant down after taking it out of the treatment bag, before transplanting it to your greenhouse.