Aphids

Aphids, including the well-known greenfly will soon spoil a crop of flowers if the infestation is bad enough. They settle in large numbers and multiply rapidly on buds and young tender shoots from where they will suck the sap and cause distortion. They leave behind a secretion called honeydew, which is very sticky to touch and attracts a revolting blackish grey fungus called sooty mould.

The best control is by using a systemic fungicide on a regular basis. This works from within the plant thus preventing infestation. If this has not been used and an attack is noticed a contact spray can be used which will kill the insect immediately but this type of spray will need to be used each time there is an invasion. Many of today’s insecticides are designed to kill only harmful insects and will leave the natural predator of the aphid, the ladybird, untouched.

Organic pest sprays are available that work by coating the aphids with a sticky substance, alternatively another method of control, also less damaging to the atmosphere is a solution of washing up liquid and water, although sadly neither of these seem to be as effective as chemical control.