Sawfly alert!

[mrbadexample]

Found my first gooseberry sawfly today:



I'm sorry to say that this is one of the two occasions (the other is slug pellets) that I reach for the chemicals. At least it's nice and early - well before the fruit have begun to form.

To anyone else who uses Provado Ultimate Bug Killer on these blighters, you might like to know that you can dilute it 50/50 with water without affecting its efficacy. Half the amount of chemical used, and half the amount of money spent.

[Two_Sheds]

Already? Jeez.

other controls here: Gooseberry sawfly / Royal Horticultural Society

I'm going out to shake my bush ...

[binley100]

flamin' eck ....so soon

[binley100]

I've just looked up the repellants and have realised I have pyrethrum self seeding all round my garden ....guess it's going to move into the gooseberry bed ....

[Farmer_Gyles]

that's early! i'll be checking mine in the morning .....

i've read on here about putting garlic around the gooseberries ..... it's something i've always done .... RHS page didn't mention it tho ....

[mrbadexample]

I can't get any of the RHS pages to load - this has been happening for a while now. Is it just me?

[ladylottie]

Oh no! I wasn't expecting to have to check for sawfly yet - I'll be having a look in the morning though.

[binley100]

I just about lost the will to live picking off caterpillers every day last year

[ladylottie]

I can't get any of the RHS pages to load - this has been happening for a while now. Is it just me?

Sorry, MrBE but I can see the RHS pages ok, have just checked.

[mrbadexample]

They're working now - only taking about 10 minutes to load.

[Two_Sheds]

I just about lost the will to live picking off caterpillers every day last year

If you have blue tits, robins etc ~ hang some fat balls near the affected bushes. The birds will eat the sawfly too

Goldfish love them

[Rabidbun]

My gooseberry bush turned into rhubarb this year. It got decimated by sawfly again last year (and scratched me each time I went in to save it). Alas, this year, it got a nasty attack of Beingdraggedoutbytheroots-itis.

[Farmer_Gyles]

no sawfly spotted on my goosegogs yet .... but i have the bug spray ready, will give it a squirt later ....

[mrbadexample]

Alas, this year, it got a nasty attack of Beingdraggedoutbytheroots-itis.

I've heard that's not the best thing for plants.

[mrbadexample]

no sawfly spotted on my goosegogs yet .... but i have the bug spray ready, will give it a squirt later ....

With a bit of luck you won't have too, if it's as cold there as it is here.