28-07-2020, 10:13 AM
1
Aphid rampage
My garden has an infestation of blackfly, the likes of which I have never seen before!Whilst it is quite usual to have a few on blackcurrant tips and a few on the runner beans which are easily dealt with, so many plants this year have been affected quite intensely. I refuse to use bug killer because of hurting any pollinators, so my only weapon at the moment is to spray with a dilute Fairy liquid solution, which I am having to do nearly every other day, particularly on the runner beans.
I don't know why it's so bad this year, maybe the result of a mild winter? Anyone else having the same problem?
28-07-2020, 10:22 AM
2
Re: Aphid rampage
Barry
I noticed one wigwam of runner beans was absolutely infested with black fly and having squished a few I decided I was fighting a losing battle and I wouldn't bother with the washing up liquid and hoped they wouldn't spread.A few days later I was amazed to see the black fly were dead
and the beans crawling with ants who I think must have 'drained' the blackfly killing them. Next came lots of little birds (too small to identify from the window) feeding on the bean plants.
I still have lots of beans and feel my leaving it to nature has been rewarded
28-07-2020, 11:33 AM
4
Re: Aphid rampage
Originally Posted by Barry
->
We have a few ladybirds on the beans and a few ants, but I always thought that ants "farmed" the aphids to feast on the honeydew, rather than kill them?
28-07-2020, 01:13 PM
5
Re: Aphid rampage
Barry, I haven't tried this, but have always meant to though.Have a try at this recipe:
1 x head of garlic
1 x Tablespoon of dish soap (not containing any bleach)
2 x Tablespoons of mineral or vegetable oil
2 x cups of water.
Peel and puree the garlic cloves along with the oil and water.
Allow this to sit over night and then strain the mixture off.
Add the soap and mix thoroughly.
Then pour into your spray bottle and use on infested plants.
There's more here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/spe...st-control.htm
28-07-2020, 01:37 PM
6
Re: Aphid rampage
Originally Posted by Mups
->
Barry, I haven't tried this, but have always meant to though.Have a try at this recipe:
1 x head of garlic
1 x Tablespoon of dish soap (not containing any bleach)
2 x Tablespoons of mineral or vegetable oil
2 x cups of water.
Peel and puree the garlic cloves along with the oil and water.
Allow this to sit over night and then strain the mixture off.
Add the soap and mix thoroughly.
Then pour into your spray bottle and use on infested plants.
There's more here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/spe...st-control.htm
I tried it a couple of years ago, what a faff doing it and I found it was no more effective than washing up liquid /water/squishing.
28-07-2020, 01:38 PM
7
Re: Aphid rampage
Originally Posted by Meg
->
Hi Mups I tried it a couple of years ago, what a faff doing it and I found it was no more effective than washing up liquid /water/squishing.
Oh, OK Meg.
I have not tried it myself, never got round to it, thought I would have thought the Garlic would have helped repel them though?
28-07-2020, 02:06 PM
8
Re: Aphid rampage
Originally Posted by Barry
->
My garden has an infestation of blackfly, the likes of which I have never seen before!Whilst it is quite usual to have a few on blackcurrant tips and a few on the runner beans which are easily dealt with, so many plants this year have been affected quite intensely. I refuse to use bug killer because of hurting any pollinators, so my only weapon at the moment is to spray with a dilute Fairy liquid solution, which I am having to do nearly every other day, particularly on the runner beans.
I don't know why it's so bad this year, maybe the result of a mild winter? Anyone else having the same problem?
28-07-2020, 02:31 PM
9
Re: Aphid rampage
Originally Posted by Mups
->
Barry, I haven't tried this, but have always meant to though.Have a try at this recipe:
1 x head of garlic
1 x Tablespoon of dish soap (not containing any bleach)
2 x Tablespoons of mineral or vegetable oil
2 x cups of water.
Peel and puree the garlic cloves along with the oil and water.
Allow this to sit over night and then strain the mixture off.
Add the soap and mix thoroughly.
Then pour into your spray bottle and use on infested plants.
There's more here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/spe...st-control.htm
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