I have a philadelphus that is covered in black fly. Is there any way I can get rid of them with out using pesticides as I also have quite a few ladybirds eating them but not fast enough!

Thanks faye

Organically killing the dreaded black fly

Reply from Kathy C

Hi, Faye! I, too, am plagued with black fly - my poor Echinops needs help! What I have done that helps to keep the numbers down is to first give them a blast with the hosepipe - not strong enough to damage the plant but with enough pressure to dislodge many of those little varmints. Then, I fill a spray bottle with washing up liquid diluted in water and chopped garlic - I don't have a set amount to dilute it with or a certain amount of garlic, just whatever looks right. Spray that all over the flies - apparently, the taste is horrible and the soap makes it hard from them to penetrate the leaf/bud and to hold on to it. I do have to repeat this at least once a week but I prefer not to use chemical, too. I have read that some organic gardeners apply their used washing up water to do this and it works pretty well. Hope this helps! Please let me know how you get on.
Kathy C

Works a treat!

Reply from Faye Wimpenny

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for the response - I tried the garlic in water and it really seems to do a good job - the numbers a much reduced and the blackfly that are left are being snacked on by the ladybirds and ants.

Thanks again,

Faye