Greenfly vs Violas

[FrancesNiadova]

Last week, this planter was full of pretty flowers. The greenfly have swooped & my violas are clearly losing the battle.
I do have a cat & hens so am wary of using poisonous sprays.
Does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks

[AnulTheMagnificent]

Soapy water spray or neem oil ?

[FrancesNiadova]

I've tried soapy water, I'll give neem oil a go, thanks.

[AnulTheMagnificent]

I think the soapy water, you have to keep doing it, neem oils smells. I use it on my cacti to remove various bugs.

If it isn't too late you could plant marigolds in the same pot, they are supposed to repel aphids. Have you checked to see if you have slugs, trails of slime on the plants? If so that's another thing entirely.

Actually I would check the toxicity of the neem oil, although would think the smell would keep animals away. I have seen some sprays that are animal safe, or you could look at the company that sells Nemaslug, they sell nematodes which are completely safe for animals and bees but you would need to get the right ones.