Gooseberry sawfly infestation- any tips?

Spray the bush with soapy water that will kill the larve without affecting the fruit it works by contact so be thorough, you may have to repeat it. As long as there is enough leaf on the bush they will fill although it may take longer

The gooseberry sawfly larvae also live on the leaves of Solomon's Seal. If you have any of that, make sure it is planted well away from your gooseberries, because they will move from one to the other (both directions) and strip both.

If you don't know Solomon's Seal, it is also called Polygonatum It is about 18 inches tall, blooms in April-June, and looks a bit like a large version of lily-of-the valley, but with the flowers hanging from the axils of the pairs of leaves, and without the lovely scent. Very useful in shady places, under trees etc. I'll look for a photo

Thanks Katie, I'll try that.
I haven't got any Soloman's Seal plants, Elegran, but thanks for the warning. It looks a pretty plant and I need to plant up a shady corner, which is well away from the gooseberry, so I'll keep an eye out for it.

I haven't got gooseberry bushes, but my blackcurrants have been devastated in the past by sawfly. They love the young tender leaves. I now use a solution made from foxglove leaves which are soaked in water until they're soft. The solution is sieved so it can be used as a spray on a non breezy evening.
This has worked well for me so far. Just avoid breathing it in !

I've just planted a foxglove but it only has a few leaves so I won't be able to use them yet- maybe next year! Spraying soapy water and regularly picking off any I can spot seems to be working- fingers crossed!

I had Solomon's Seal plants in a previous garden. A lovely old plant.

My mum used to throw a bowl of used washing up water over the gooseberry bushes.