Greenfly everywhere

[pixie]

My whitecurrant, redcurrant and blackcurrant bushes are absolutely plastered in greenfly. The blackcurrant has lost most of its leaves and the fruit are dropping now. I can see a few lacewing flys which I presume might be laying eggs - so their larvae will eat up some of the greenfly, but that will be too late as there is already so much damage. I don't know if there is anything more I can do this year - I am loathe to use chemical pesticides. I did try an organic anti-bug spray for the same problem last year, but it was also a dead loss, and as the bushes are quite big now rubbing the leaves to kill them isn't a viable option. Is there any hope or should I dig them up? My lovely lupins have gone the same way too. Is anyone else bothered with greenfly as much as me?

[Snadger]

Lupins are notorius for attracting greenfly! If the lupins are close to your soft fruit I would shift the lupins!
Bit late this year but a thought for next!

[rustylady]

You really do have to catch the little bu****s early. Spray at the first sign of attack with soft soap or organic insecticide. Also, if you inspect your plants regularly you may be able to cope by rubbing them off. I wouldn't get rid of your bushes, there's always next year.

[pixie]

Thanks guys. Unfortunately I did spray on organic anti-bug stuff much earlier this year, and tried the soap idea last year, but they didn't bat an eyelid. Perhaps I'm just not persistant enough as I did each for about 2 weeks only before giving in. Funnily enough the lupins are on almost the opposite side of the house. There must be alot of them about near me.

[noidea]

My garden is covered at the moment too and they have really gone for the strawberries. I have been spraying with soapy water but they appear again with 2-3 days.

Good luck.... !

C

[Sue]

Pixie, Noidea
Have you tried spraying with soapy water then donning a pair of gloves, I use thin latex ones and sitting down and have a good squidge? You won't get rid of every one but it does help spread the soapy water around and you can massacre a good lot this way. Had one left over broad bean on its own in a mixed bed and it got covered, had a good squidging session and they've gone, haven't yet found where they've gone too but...
Sue

[pigletwillie]

And best of all its so satisfying.

[pixie]

I think you are probably right Sue, - nothing can match physical destruction (or squidging!). I suppose I just wanted to avoid that because it is time consuming, awkward to reach in between the bushes and I didn't want to disturb the lacewings already there. Will probably start some squidging tomorrow! Of interest, the soap spray that didn't work last year - my husband pointed out that we use ecover products, so maybe they are just not strong enough.

[Alice]

You may not want to use a chemical spray, but they do work. Sometimes it's just I can use it, or loose it.

[Flummery]

But if you get rid of them all what will the new little blue-tits eat? It's all about balance.

[noidea]

I have been squidging lots by hand and have persuaded a very helpful 3 year old that it's a great way to spend time in the garden!

He has obviously been listening to me though as he found a ladybird on a mint plant and moved it very carefully over to the strawberries. Bless him!

C

[Alison]

Of interest, the soap spray that didn't work last year - my husband pointed out that we use ecover products, so maybe they are just not strong enough.

Ecover works fine, it's the soapy bit that does for them. Maybe you needed a slightly stronger solution??? Not sure, either that or they were just a particular resilent strain of bugs. I find spraying gets most of them and then squidge the rest.

[lisa_cee]

i also have greenfly everywhere have got over the squeamish stage and squash them even had them on my chives eurgh so got rid of them i scan my fruit/veg every other day to keep them at bay esp my strawberries and tomatoes
also have tried the organic method may have to resort to something stronger !

[Flummery]

Gin and tonic does it for me, lisa cee. I don't worry about the aphids half as much!

[Two_Sheds]

Judging by the sheer number of posts on the subject of greenfly/blackfly/aphids, I guess that chosen control methods (spraying) aren't working.

I get aphids on my plants the same as everyone else does, but I have learned that I have to catch them early (for they reproduce at an alarming rate, being born already pregnant) and that I have to persist in my attentions...one treatment is not enough.

Look for infestations on new, young, sappy growth, esp. on rosebuds, lettuce, broad beans. My chosen method is quick, 100% effective, safe (to the plants) and cheap: squish the little b*ggers in my fingers. No, it's not pleasant, but I can wash my hands afterwards. Or squish them while running a hose over at the same time.

I have never lost an entire plant or crop to aphids, because I get in there quick and deal with them. You have to keep on checking your plants too: one treatment is not enough because they are flying in and reproducing all the time.

Also, try and attract some aphid-eating critters to help you: plant Limnanthes for the hoverflies, hang fat balls over your plants to attract blue tits. Plant Nasturtiums as a sacrificial plant near broad beans ... the blackfly will colonise that, and then you can pull up the whole infested plant and compost it.

Royal Horticultural Society - Advice: Aphids