Pests On A Climber

[vikkib]

Hi all,

We have a climbing plant in our garden that we inherited from the previous owner. I'm not exactly sure what plant it is. It has beautiful yellow flowers, deep green leaves, purple-ish stalks, grows very quickly, climbs and dies right back to wood sticks.

I've just noticed (I must be blind) that it is covered in pests.

As you can see from the second pic below I've got loads of pots of veg and herbs etc. right next to it and none of them seem to be effected.

I'm wondering whether I should try and treat the climber? I do love the flowers and it really attracts bees into the garden so I don't want it to get too damaged by this invasion.

If yes, how?! Should I spray with diluted washing up liquid as I don't think I'm going to be able to squish them all!

I'm also wondering, though, whether the climber is acting as a sacrificial lamb! If I make it a less habitable place for the pests will they migrate onto my veg?



Sorry for all the questions!

Vikki

[Capsid]

That's a honeysuckle and it's got aphids by the look of it. Washing up liquid solution will work. Honeysuckle is a robust plant and you could look on it as a decoy plant that the aphids will prefer to your precious herbs and veg. But they can get to large numbers so removing them is desirable.

[vikkib]

Thanks again Caspid!

I'll get a trigger bottle fuelled and get squirting!