Little blighters!!

[jasyk34]

Anyone else having problems with aphids on strawberries at the minute. I have strawberries in hanging baskets in my greenhouse and having to squash aphids covering them now for the last 3 weeks.



Anyone have other methods of dealing with or preventing them. They aren't on my other plants in greenhouse, just the strawberries.

[fishpond]

Anyone else having problems with aphids on strawberries at the minute. I have strawberries in hanging baskets in my greenhouse and having to squash aphids covering them now for the last 3 weeks.

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Anyone have other methods of dealing with or preventing them. They aren't on my other plants in greenhouse, just the strawberries.

Organic or not?
Impressive wildlife photograph.

[Lardman]

Squish'em.

It's unpleasant but you should be able to reduce the population significantly.

[jasyk34]

Organic or not?
Impressive wildlife photograph.

It would need to be organic for strawberries. Wouldn't want any chemicals on my food.

The photo was taken with my phone and turned out quite well but took ages as the hanging basket kept moving and putting shot out of focus. There was some "choice" language in my greenhouse

[jasyk34]

Squish'em.

It's unpleasant but you should be able to reduce the population significantly.

Yeah that's how I currently tackle them. Does work but was hoping there was some tip I had missed like the one I found on the forum yesterday about homemade nematodes.
Cheers

[Chris11]

Hoverflies and ladybirds are voracious predators of aphids. Anything you can do to encourage those insects will help get things under control.

Companion planting will help, I grow Poached Egg plants as well as both Calendula and Tagetes marigolds.

[vixylix]

My raspberries have been overrun with greenfly - there are loads of ladybirds, but they're obviously not hungry enough

I spent ages last weekend squishing them - I got a but put off when I realised my gloves had turned green though!

[damian1225]

Fairy liquid and water in a spray bottle gets rid of them

[jasyk34]

My raspberries have been overrun with greenfly - there are loads of ladybirds, but they're obviously not hungry enough

I spent ages last weekend squishing them - I got a but put off when I realised my gloves had turned green though!

I know what you mean, the only thing is I don't use gloves so my fingers and thumbs are black and its tough to get it washed off after completed all the strawberry plants

[jasyk34]

Fairy liquid and water in a spray bottle gets rid of them

I had read somewhere that these homemade soapy solutions can damage some plants. I know that there are commercial brands available that are made for the job that don't damage the plants, but I am a bit of a skinflint when it comes to things like this.

Anyone tried homemade soapy solutions on strawberries and had any damage or success ??

[damian1225]

I had read somewhere that these homemade soapy solutions can damage some plants. I know that there are commercial brands available that are made for the job that don't damage the plants, but I am a bit of a skinflint when it comes to things like this.

Anyone tried homemade soapy solutions on strawberries and had any damage or success ??

I have used fairy liquid on my tomatoes and chillies for a few year and not had any issues so far, as soon as I spot aphids out comes the spray bottle

[jasyk34]

I have used fairy liquid on my tomatoes and chillies for a few year and not had any issues so far, as soon as I spot aphids out comes the spray bottle

Might give it a go. Thanks

[Bren In Pots]

I had read somewhere that these homemade soapy solutions can damage some plants. I know that there are commercial brands available that are made for the job that don't damage the plants, but I am a bit of a skinflint when it comes to things like this.

Anyone tried homemade soapy solutions on strawberries and had any damage or success ??

I've been using Ecover washing up liquid and my plants have been fine.

[jasyk34]

I've been using Ecover washing up liquid and my plants have been fine.

Could I ask what ratio of washing liquid to water you are using ?

[Bren In Pots]

Could I ask what ratio of washing liquid to water you are using ?

Just a few drops in the squirt bottle seems to work, you don't need much.