what is black fly?

[buttercup]

hi there!
i was warned by a guy down the allotment about black fly on my broad beans!
i was wondering what they look like?
my bb's have black marks on some of the tips, is this black fly?
what should i do if it is?
also i have aphids al over my plants on my window sill,
does anyone no of a organic method of repelling them?
ive tryed leaving an onion and some garlic on the same window sill but they are still hanging around!
cheers buttercup

[Nicos]

Blackfly look a bit like black versions of greenfly!

http://www.gardenaction.co.uk/techni...sts/aphids.htm
Bit of info there for you!

Greenfly on the window sill? Yep I get that on my basil plants in the kitchen from time to time.
I run the plants under the tap and smudge them off. I'm reluctant to use soapy water on stuff I'm going to eat, although that would be my 2nd method of choice!

[buttercup]

cheers nicos!
ive heard about soapy water, but im going away for a few days, which is really stressing me out( i dont want to leave my babies behind)
maybe ill invest in some marigolds etc before i go!
dont think ive got black fly but will keep an eye out!
many thanks!
buttercup

[Nicos]

Are your greenfly on plants or seedlings??
If it's on seedlings then it is more of a problem as they are so much more delicate.
I wonder if it's worth buying those yellow sticky strips and chop them into smaller pieces to prevent them spreading to other plants?
Cotton bud and soapy water for seedlings I think!
Have a good holiday, I'm sure they'll be fine!!!

[buttercup]

they seem to be on a bit of everything beans, courgettes, toms!
i must try and see them as the enemy!
ill give them all a squish before i go!
im not going anywhere nice, a compulsory family visit!
so its made me even more anoyed about leaving them!
but thanks anyway!
cheers nicos
buttercup

[rustylady]

You'll kinow blackfly when you get it!! Same as greenfly but different colour. They love new shoots and reproduce so fast that the shoots in question are totally covered in black (or green) aphids. You can either squash them (effective but messy), spray them with soapy water (sort of effective) or spray them with insecticide (effective but not to everyone's principles)

[Snadger]

I had blackfly on my broad beans last year (btw it's recommended to nip the succulent tops out as its these they go for) anyway............. My blackfly was cured organically by ants!!! They were in a convoy running up the plants, grabbing a blackfly and running down again with said blackfly in mandibles! They ate the lot!!!! Consequently when I have been doing the winter digging I have been very careful not to damage any ants nests!

[buttercup]

cheers everyone!
snadger i notice there were ants on the plants i put out the other day!
maybe ill move a few other bit with green fly out where the ants nest is!
brilli 'ant' ho ho ho!
the ants get fed and i dont have to waste my time squishing them!
cheers buttercup