Aphid repellent

I saw this recipe in my garden magazine this week and wondered if it would interest anyone who prefers the more natural approach.

Aphid Spray

3 x chopped garlic cloves
2 cups of water
few drops of washing up liquid

Mix together, leave for 24 hours, then sieve.
Fill a spray bottle with the sieved liquid.
Spray plants weekly through the summer and you won't have any aphids.

I should think it would be pretty 'stinky' for a while after spraying, but I'm thinking of testing it on a few plants next year to see how effective it is.

Re: Aphid repellent

Hi Jean I have used something similar in the past made with cooking oil rather than water. Oil being more viscous sticks to the plants better/for longer.

In the end I reverted to using just soap and water because it was a faff to make the other stuff or I didn't have and cheap oil in the house because I cook with olive oil ..

Re: Aphid repellent

Do you use just soap and water Meg, or do you add anything else?

Re: Aphid repellent

..Jean I don't get many aphids but have had lots of blackfly on the runner beans this year .
I use a tiny bit of fairy liquid in water. I understand the fairy liquid contains a surfactants which lowers the surface tension allowing the water drops to stick to the plant but it doesn't stay on as well as oil .

In the end I left the black fly for the ladybirds and other insects, the beans haven't been very good this year anyway.

Re: Aphid repellent

No, my beans weren't as good as they could be either, I've taken them all down now.
I read somewehre that baby shampoo is better than washing up liquid, so might give that a try too - smells nice too.

Re: Aphid repellent

Washing up liquid and water works well on greenfly but black fly needs some thing extra garlic is what we use.

Baby shampoo works just as well as washing up liquid but we have never found it any better or worse.

Re: Aphid repellent

Jean I am torn between getting rid of pests and leaving them for the wildlife to feast on .

Re: Aphid repellent

I've used that spray too Jean, in my greenhouse at the beginning of the season. As said, it is a bit smelly but seemed to work fine.
Didn't seem to work in the garden though on the blackfly.