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Greenfly
TyCerrig
Posts: 61
Does anybody know who effective soapy water is on greenfly? I have quite an infestation, which I have been trying to keep on top of by removing them by hand, but tried soapy water today - will it harm the plants? Is there anything else I could try which isn't a chemical?
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I've always used my fingers and if that's not enough a jet of water from the hosepipe will do the job but I always leave a few for the bluetits ... and because we've always ensured they will be able to find food, for the past couple of years I've not had a greenfly problem on the roses because our resident pair of bluetits and their fledglings are busy hopping about in the roses, honeysuckle and clematis hoovering up the greenfly.
Last edited: 20 April 2017 18:52:47
Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.
Best method there is. I have a couple of apple trees which are near the bird feeder. The blossom is just appearing, and the blue tits (and great and coal tits) stop off there for a good shufty, to snack on any greenfly while they wait for a space at the feeder
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Thanks, I will plug away with the spray for now. Unfortunately, I struggle to attract small birds into our garden, due to the large number of cats in our neighbourhood. Most of the food on the table just rots (peanuts, fatballs, mealworm and seeds). If you can come up with an idea of how I can attract wildlife (apart from pigeons!) that would be gratefully received too. I built a wildlife pond, but we are very urban and surrounded by fences on all sides so I'm not too hopeful.
It's a question of persevering TyCerrig. We're plagued with cats here too, but I bought one of those water scarecrows, and that makes a huge difference. If you have anything prickly in the garden - Pyracantha, Berberis, Holly etc, that can be good for putting a small seed feeder in. Bigger birds are less reluctant to go in. Just remember to wear gloves when you have to refill
I have a cage which I made so that the little birds can feed in peace - the big birds can't get in. There's a seed feeder and one with a suetblock inside the cage. I also put some food on the ground for the bigger ones though, and they also get the bits and pieces which drop out the feeder.
The ground feeders quickly learned how to 'perch' too. Dunnocks use it without any problem, as well as the robins
Use a good quality no mess mix. The cheaper mixes have lots of wheat which attracts pigeons. Sunflower hearts are also excellent for most birds. Put out a little at a time, so that it gets eaten up quickly and doesn't get a chance to rot. You'll gradually get a feel for what visits and how much they eat. This garden had nothing in it when I moved in four years ago, and it took a couple of years to build up the bird visitors. I'm next to a road and the garden isn't big, but I now have all sorts of birds visiting regularly, and this year I have a pair of nuthatches which are rare up here, and some long tailed tits started visiting too. Keep trying
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Fairygirl, that's fantastic advice - thankyou! I will definitely try the cage idea. I've positioned the table near a couple of trees my neighbour has which I hope will help. The very small wildlife pond is very close to it too, so with some luck and a lot of patience, I hope to see some results soon.
In my shrub beds, put some strategically placed gorse cuttings, which seems to have helped deter cats and today I've installed a maze of string tied round some canes to try to keep them off my 2 raised veg beds - here's hoping they go back to their own gardens and leave mine alone!
Thanks again.
It's a gradual process TyC - but so rewarding when you see a new bird arrive.
Either that - we need to get out more....
I used the old shelves frm one of those plastic growhouses for my cage. It wil lget a proper roof and a tidy up this summer, but it's very light,only attached to the fence with screw and hooks etc. The starlings tried to get in, but they really don't like it! They've only tried a couple of times and have given up. They were the worst offenders fro me. It's incredible just how much those little birds eat when they get the chance
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I actually have some old plastic greenhouse shelves, so will attempt to construct something similar today - you haven't got a patent on it have you?!
Had a few days off work, so have enjoyed spending them in my small garden
Perhaps I should rush to the patent office TyC
The advantage of using those shelves is that they're strong enough, but lightweight. I bent them round under the base and just wired them together. The front opens up - again, just wired onto the rest of it. Easy to get in and fill feeders. Far better than those ones you buy - which are very expensive - and I find that starlings can still reach the feeders by sticking their heads in those. It'll be better once I do it properly, but it was one of those 'I need to do somehting quickly' moments!
Because it's on a fence, I attached a bracket to hang the feeders from, but you could simply rig something up for the feeders.
I initially tried using two hanging baskets wired together, but some of the holes are too big.
Good luck with it - it certainly works a treat here
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I read somewhere (dentist's waiting room I think) that you can buy ladybird larvae online. Is this true, and would importing a colony of ladybirds do the trick?
Last edited: 21 April 2017 17:39:25
Hi Fairygirl, I thought I'd show you how we have used your design here in Cumbria! Thank you very much for the excellent tip!
