[surbie100]

I bought Vitex pest & disease spray to nuke my mutant aphids, but it's so stinky it makes me heave. 

I don't want to spray it on things I might want to eat/live near...

Any recommendations? They are happily surviving washing up liquid.

[Kirpi]

stronger washing up liquid. wait until the aphids have died and then rinse off with water.

[Ice]

Washing up liquid is not approved for use as an insecticide so we cannot recommend its use on the site.  Also, given the chemicals in Fairy Liquid it can hardly be called an organic pest control solution.

http://www.theecologist.org/green_green_living/behind_the_label/268721/behind_the_label_fairy_liquid.html

[Kirpi]

I take your point Ice, but washing up liquid is not an insecticide - it works by coating the aphid so it basically suffocates. It is not a chemical reaction as such but I'll keep such gems to myself of it offends.

There are certain washing up liquids which are biodegradable and therefore organic once they have broken down - in some cases in a matter of a few days. I can't mention brand names of course, but they are available. See "better alternatives" at the bottom of the above article.

[New shoot]

The soap based insecticides to buy do often contain fish oil and are a bit whiffy. If you pick one of the insecticides based on pyrethrum they do not contain fish oils.

Pyrethrum is a plant extract, but it is totally non-selective contact insecticde, so follow the usual safety precautions.  Spray in still conditions and early morning or late evening to protect bees.  If you have ladybirds around, move them off onto other plants.  Wash your hands well after use as well - its a naturally occuring compound so classed as organic, but its still a nerve toxin.  Would only be dangerous in high doses, but better safe than sorry  

[irot]

I use this one: Organic Pest Control.

It doesn't smell fishy (believe me, I'd be the first one being sick if it did!) and seems to work quite well!

[surbie100]

Thanks! Have donated the whiffy fish essence to my Mother for spraying things outside that won't be eaten/sat near...

I'm going to try a combination of 'alternative' washing up liquids and the spray, and see which works well on the infested chillies and my (currently inside) carrots, sorrel and chard.

irot, I see you're just a bit downriver from me - hope the drainage on your plot is better than mine!