This practice must be repeated since many of the insects are likely to return. Water pressure should be used only on sturdy plants to avoid plant damage. This method may also be a problem since frequent applications of water could increase diseases such as black spot on roses or could cause root problems if the soil is already too wet. The use of vacuums to remove certain kinds of insects from plants is growing in popularity, especially among commercial producers. These tools may contain a disposable cartridge lined with a non-toxic, sticky gel to trap insects sucked up by the machine.
Commercial producers have large vacuum equipment attached to and powered by tractors.
On a smaller scale, hand-held, battery powered vacuums are available, some of which have a small hose attachment to use when reaching across a row or bed. In home garden or for indoor use, a plant can be shaken to dislodge flying insects such as thrips and whiteflies as well as aphids that are in a flying stage of growth. When the plant is shaken and the insects begin to fly, they can be sucked into the vacuum hose held in the air near the plant. Vacuums may also remove crawling insects or insect eggs. The vacuum nozzle may be placed directly on plants with strong or thick leaves, but caution is needed on plants with tender foliage.