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How to deal with Blackfly?

gilla.walmsleygilla.walmsley Posts: 339
in Problem solving
For the last two years I've been dealing with a rampant Blackfly infestation in my garden. They smothered all my pond plants with their larvae and also now some of my shrubs - the plants are dying because of it. I've tried a "wildlife friendly" spray on them but it makes no difference (and also quite hard to spray plants in the pond!). I've also tried growing Nasturtiums right next to them which also made no difference! Any successful stories?


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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Do you have bird feeders?   I find that our adult visitors - sparrows, assorted tits  - hoover up the aphids to feed to their nestlings.   Later on they continue if they have a second clutch of eggs and the hoverflies and ladybirds and their larvae deal with the rest.

    I never spray with chemicals but may squish an early infestation with my fingers or a jet of spray from the hosepipe but then I leave them to the predators.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @gilla.walmsley I thought that black fly love nasturtiums? Black and green fly is bad this year, may be the dry conditions. One forum member uses a tiny paint brush to remove then which sounds a great idea. Perhaps it should have a patent and then it could be sold at my very expensive local GC for alot if money!
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • gilla.walmsleygilla.walmsley Posts: 339
    Obelixx I have so many bird feeders! I think there are perhaps too many to be squishing by hand, they are literally over all of my shrubs and plants! It's really strange because 3 years ago there weren't any at all.... it was just last summer they arrived and now they're back.

    Suze yes - I meant I tried growing Nasturtiums as a way of diverting their attention but it didn't work  :(

    Does the forum member you mention use anything on the paint brush? Or just removes them with it? They cling on to the stems and flowers with such amazing force!
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    @gilla.walmsley Just the brush I assume I am going to give it a go on my roses it will be a lighter touch than my fingers. Maybe that is where the saying green fingers comes from?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    No evidence in you photos, but have you noticed any any farmers. They protect the aphids from predators and they seem to prefer the black variety.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • bertrand-mabelbertrand-mabel Posts: 2,697
    I think it is white fly that nasturtiums like, one reason for growing some in a greenhouse/polytunnel.
    When we get blackfly on the broad beans we use the hose and blast as many as possible of the plants. We do this at least once a week and it does seem to weaken the population.
  • TopbirdTopbird Posts: 8,355
    @B3 I assume you meant "...any ANT farmers.."?😉🤣

    Can't imagine any of our tractor-boy farmers round here doing anything to protect aphids!!

    Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    😂.  Snort!
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    I think the problem is also to do with the lack of ladybirds.
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • floraliesfloralies Posts: 2,718
    I can spend a happy half hour just using my fingers to rub them off......messy i know but very satisfying!
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