Greenfly

Does anyone know whether greenfly on plants can survive and breed in a compost bin, or will the composting process kill them off please? My Sweet Peas are going over now so I was going to pull them up and add them to my compost, but I noticed quite alot of greenfly on some plants so not sure now whether I should compost or take them to the tip?

Re: Greenfly

I'm no expert Mups but it's my guess that they would die over time. Personally I would have no hesitation putting it in the compost bin. Whatever you do, greenfly will be around next year as normal.

Re: Greenfly

I find the most efficient way of combating greenfly is to plant garlic, or if you cannot dig, just throw garlic cloves around. It would probably work in the compost bin as well. The worms do not like onion peelings but I don't know if they feel the same about garlic. (No vampires around here)

Re: Greenfly

If your compost reaches the right temperature they will die off very quickly.

Re: Greenfly

Thanks everybody, much appreciated.

Re: Greenfly

Squish them with your fingers, then you'll know they are dead before they go on the compost

Re: Greenfly

Bit too many for that Janela, would do it there were only a few, but thanks for the input.

Re: Greenfly

Certainly if you are composting efficiently and getting a good steam up in the heap it will kill off any greenfly, larvae or eggs.