'aphid-control' is a compound of 'aphid' and 'control'. 'aphid' originates from Modern Latin (or New Latin) 'Aphid-'/ 'Aphidoidea', ultimately from Greek 'aphis' meaning 'plant louse'. 'control' originates from Old French/Anglo-Norman 'contre-roller' and Medieval Latin 'contrarotulus', where the elements conveyed 'against' + 'roll/roll-book' (a checking register).

'aphid' came into English from scientific Latin forms (e.g. 'Aphididae') and by the mid-18th century was shortened in modern English to 'aphid'. 'control' passed from Medieval Latin 'contrarotulus' through Old French into Middle English as 'control'/'contrele' and developed its current verb and noun senses of checking and managing.

Initially, 'aphid' referred to specific plant lice in scientific usage, and 'control' originally referred to checking against a record; over time 'control' broadened to mean 'to regulate or manage', so the compound now specifically means 'measures to manage or eliminate aphids.'