Greenfly

[libbypops]

We have an abondance of Greenfly - is this a problem? they are everywhere - i have never seen anything like it?

what damage do they do?
can i get rid organically?

Thanks

Libby
www.MagicBeanBags.co.uk

We have loads - killing plants they usually don't even touch. And I haven't seen any ladybirds either (was going to start a separate thread about that).

Don't have many ideas for getting rid of loads of them at once without chemicals (which I'm trying to avoid as well).

Also watching the thread for ideas...

I just have some herbs in kitchen windowboxes and some strawberry plants at the moment but all covered with greenfly.

I told dp I was off to spray them with soapy water but he said only use that on roses or other things we aren't going to eat in case the taste of soap works its way into the strawberries etc??

Message withdrawn

Not possible with my backyard I'm afraid. THe only available space for plants is taken up with the pots of strawberries and little pots with herbs in. no room for any calendula.
I need something to spray on the little bastards and watch them all drop off

No ladybirds round here at all this year. Is it the same all over the country? Have they all been struck down by some dreadful ladybird plague?

The air outside is thick with greenfly, just floating about, never mind the plants. 'Tis horrid.

Hiya I'm in mid Norfolk and we also have LOADS of greenfly! Haven't seen any ladybirds

Have an auto opener on my greenhouse window and atm my greenhouse is clear what do you al think - would really fine netting on the window stop the lb's?

I am getting the washing up liquid and spray bottle out this evening. i realised yesterday that last week i ate some basil leaves on a tomato sandwich before I realised the underside of all the basil leaves are covered in greenfly bleurghghghg.

Everyone used to say washing up liquid (just one drop in a spray bottle) gets rid of greenfly and have just googled 'washing up liquid greenfly' - seems that people still use it and it still works.

One of them says well you probably ingest the stuff off your plates and cutlery after washing to a micro dot of it on a strawberry won't do any harm..?

Anyone else want to try it and we can get back and compare notes.

apparently the ladybirds are in hybernation but surely the good weather will entice them out!!! get ready for the red nippers!!!!

Update.

I checked with my next door neighbour (he has a very sucessful allotment) who gave me the strawberry plants. I asked him what to do about greenfly, and could I use soap/washing up liquid on them
He said yes thats what he does, liquid soap or washing up liquid. One drop of fairy, more drops of weaker liquids or liquid soap.

So I went out last night at 8, sprayed everything and under the leaves close up.

Today most of the greenfly are dead so I am just off out to blast the survivors.

wow - what a tip - i assume the slugs dont like that either!!!

Thanks flibertyjibbet! Will give it a go