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How to rid black fly organically?

Bagpuss57Bagpuss57 Posts: 256
in Problem solving
Is there a a simple cheap solution I can use to spray my plants to rid black fly? They seem to absolutely everywhere and it's affecting the growth of some of my plants. I don't want to use the chemical bug spray but if there's something organic that I can make up at home that won't damage other wildlife but be able to wash off the bugs I'd rather do that instead. Anybody tried and tested home made solutions? 
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Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 25,231
    Rub them off with your fingers.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • BijdezeeBijdezee Posts: 1,484
    edited May 2018
    I'm trying a home remedy of pure soap solution sprayed on greenfly. I hope it works as i dont want to hurt bees etc. Last year was very bad for greenfly on my lupins and apple tree and definitely too many to get off by hand. I was probably too late spotting them. 
  • Bagpuss57Bagpuss57 Posts: 256
    B3 said:
    Rub them off with your fingers.
    Yes, that's what I've been doing so far but there are lots of plants with them and it's taking rather a long time. As I have a chronic fatigue issue I just thought there might be an easier and quicker way to rid them. 
  • Bagpuss57Bagpuss57 Posts: 256
    Bijdezee said:
    I'm trying a home remedy of pure soap solution sprayed on greenfly. I hope it works as i dont want to hurt bees etc. Last year was very bad for greenfly on my lupins and apple tree and definitely too many to get off by hand. I was probably too late spotting them. 
    Thanks Bijdezee I might try that. What is the ratio for soap/water? 
  • Jason-3Jason-3 Posts: 383
    One tea spoon neem oil 2 tea spoons washing up liquid per litre of water well shaken. Worked for me on all sorts of soft flies and aphids
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,168
    edited May 2018
    Ideally use soft soap if you can get it not so harsh as detergent -  washing up liquid  has salt in it (NaCl) so be careful with that. You can buy or make up garlic spray solutions which act as a deterrent too  but it needs re-applying frequently. (weekly)
    AB Still learning

  • rosemummyrosemummy Posts: 2,010
    Ive been using weak organic washing up liquid solution as well as rubbing them off, have just been reading about making garlic spray, but tecarticle I read said powdered garlic, has anyone tried using a garlic spray? Thought I might brew one up! 
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,907
    Ladybirds?
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,231
    Why do people equate organic with non-poisonous?
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • pansyfacepansyface Posts: 21,907
    I don’t know, B3.  Why do people equate organic with non-poisonous?
    Apophthegm -  a big word for a small thought.
    If you live in Derbyshire, as I do.
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