[Headgardener22]

Is it me or do there seem to be more greenfly and blackfly this year. The tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse seem to have more greenfly than I've ever seen before and the broadbeans on the allotment are covered in blackfly.

The predators don't seem to be making a difference and I'm not keen on using insecticide.

[Mrs Bee]

YES, YES and YES. The state my broad beans were in 
Not sure I will get any beans this year.

And they are on the French and runners we have just put in. I went round and blasted all the plants with hardest setting on the hose.

OH said he had already done it but I don't think he blasts them as hard as I do.

If the b****ers are back next week I will be spraying. Don't want to but needs must when the devil drives.

[lettice]

Odd thing is, seen very little blackfly so far this year.
For broad beans though, make sure you pinch those tops out, it really works.
Soap and water spray works as well as a good rub with the hand.

[jaydig]

Definitely loads of aphids. All my fruit trees have the new leaves curling up and distorting, I've pruned these out today from the ones that can be pruned at this time of the year. This afternoon I noticed that even the new leaves at the ends of the branches on the mock orange bushes are thick with black aphids.  Also, for the first time this year, my blueberry bush has a nasty infestation of scale insects.

[surbie100]

Yes, masses more than previous years, particularly blackfly, which is on everything outside. Am spraying with soapy water to no effect.

[Willow_Warren]

I was going to start a thread saying just the same! All the surrounding tress seem to be suffering! I don't know what to do as I don't want to loose my trees or crops! I'm seriously considering a commercial spray!

Hannah 

[LottyLouis]

I'm spraying my broad beans with a weak soap/water solution but I put sprayer on fine jet spray and knock the devils off. Next day it looks like plant is still encrusted but most of the critters are dead.
I've been doing this for a few days and population is diminishing. One or two plants have suffered badly and may succumb, but I think I'm getting there. And, of course, nipping tops off helps.

[Hampshire Hog]

Heavy black fly infestation on my broad beans. Must get my soap spray out!!

HH

[AnneB]

No aphids at the plot so far round here.

[JayG]

Very few aphids or ladybirds round here for the past few years - difficult to speculate about the reason why when there are neither chickens nor eggs available as 'evidence'.   

(Of course, this statement may turn out to be premature...  )

[sunshineband]

Odd thing is, seen very little blackfly so far this year.
For broad beans though, make sure you pinch those tops out, it really works.
Soap and water spray works as well as a good rub with the hand.

They have all flown up here    never had infestations like it EVER!! My hand ached yesterday from spraying soapy water onto them. It seems I almost have to do it daily right now. Even had blackfly on the dahlia shoots and I don't remember ever having this before 

[Scottish Mike]

My greenhouse has been up a week and my chilli plants are getting annihilated by aphids The leaves are curled and speckled brown. And it's spread to my rocket and dahlia seedlings, which also have the brown speckled leaves.

I ordered ladybird larvae last week, they arrived at the weekend and were promptly deployed, and do seem to be working well - most of the aphids are gone. The plants look terrible though - hoping they'll recover.

[lettice]

I ordered ladybird larvae last week, they arrived at the weekend and were promptly deployed, and do seem to be working well - most of the aphids are gone. The plants look terrible though - hoping they'll recover.

Didn't know you could buy ladybirds. Do you put the larvae anywhere special?
We get a lot of ladybirds down here, merits of bring close to the sea I'm told.
Seen plenty this year too, would not say anymore than usual. Probably would say about 15-20 flying around the garden. We get the 2 and 7 spot ones.
Hope its not those black ones they mentioned at the turn of the century, whatever happened to them.

[Hampshire Hog]

Just blasted my black fly down at the plot. Thanks to Headgardener for reminder.
One thought amidst the thousands of black fly there was one solitary ladybird hopefully didn't damage her. Liquid soap I used is kind to your hands!!! But what about ladybirds😳😳😳😳 ??

Cheers HH

[Lardman]

My peppers in particular and the basil are suffering really badly this year. I sprayed a few days ago with a commercial product but it's made no difference. I've been squishing for England twice a day which is reducing the numbers but the poor plants are suffering from those I miss and the effects of my fat fingers. 

I'll be trying some non EU approved methods soon before it costs me the crop.