Annoying aphids

[Irish-Veg]

I also have had trouble with them on the strawbs in pots.. but not on the ones in the plot, I just squish them anyway and give them a good squirt of water to knock them off., these were the "normal" green type ones.

I then found a good few on my Brussel sprouts last night so went round each plant and squished any I saw, the net was a bit low as they had grown a lot in the last few days (so leaves were touching net) these were pink/purple-grey ones, these ones I also keep finding (in small numbers) on a totem outdoor tomato plant and on my large eggplant too, any advice? I also found a few holes on the eggplant.. aphids cause this, no?

I read about a homemade spray with chillis/washing up liquid and water.. any good/non-harmful?

[rustylady]

I also found a few holes on the eggplant.. aphids cause this, no?

No, aphids suck sap - they don't make holes in leaves.

[Irish-Veg]

yeah thought, going to have another hunt to see if I can see something

[Two_Sheds]

I also have had trouble with them on the strawbs in pots.. but not on the ones in the plot

There are more natural predators* on the plot, plus the plants will generally be stronger and better able to fend off an attack.
Aphids love soft sappy new leaves: plants that grow fast & big (often those that are over-fed and/or don't have enough light) may look good, but are weak & soft and more delicious to aphids



* grow food plants for lacewings, hoverflies & ladybirds and you'll have natural aphid defence. Sparrows and blue tits eat them too, so hang a few bird feeders around the place to bring them in