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Aphids

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AshTree Fri 31-Jul-15 13:00:38

I've just discovered some of our runner bean plants are coated with aphids, literally black with them in places - something we've never had a problem with in the past. The broad beans were the same earlier, but we'd never grown them before so just thought they were particularly attractive to them.

I don't like using chemical pesticides on food crops and I remember as a child my father spraying our roses with detergent, so that's what I've done, liberally. Has anyone found this method successful? Or do you have any other suggestions?

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whitewave Fri 31-Jul-15 13:06:22

Never use chemicals. Run my fingers up the stems and squish them or use washing up liquid in water or encourage the ladybirds and birds.

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AshTree Fri 31-Jul-15 14:36:34

Thanks whitewave. I'll check later to see if the washing-up liquid has worked and if they're still there I'll try the squishing trick (I'll have to wear thin gardening gloves though, can't bear the thought of squished aphids on my bare skin grin)

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Tegan Fri 31-Jul-15 15:01:51

I used to use washing up liquid and I'm sure it worked; best not to use anti bacterial though. Not good news for you but glad that there are aphids around...I haven't seen any this year.

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