[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Hi all,

My courgettes are getting destroyed by black fly, and they’re all only little.

Leaves are curled and stunted.

See pictures, I need urgent advice as I want to try and sort it tonight if possible.

Can they recover, even?

[mrs bouquet]

Rub as much of them as possible off with your fingers.  Have some clean water beside you to keep rinsing your fingers in.   Good Luck,   Mrs Bouquet     You live fairly close to me, and I have got loads of them as well !

[Mark's Sussex Allotment]

Does the old washing up liquid watered down in a sprayer still work, or is that no good for the plant and crops?

I know people used to mention it in the past.

[JayG]

Works for me, although there are several other 'recipes' using soft soap and/or cooking oil - take your pick but don't use dishwasher detergent rather than ordinary washing up liquid (might kill the patient, and the aim is also to minimise the risk to any other insects.)

I find that two sprays, the second after the first has dried off seems to produce the best results (the aphids look 'soggy' for want of a better word.)