Greenfly problem affecting washing on the line

[factor-fiction]

It's been another good day today for drying washing outside but once again as it's drying I find most of the washing is covered in greenflies. They seem particularly attracted to white items. I have to spend ages picking them off one at a time because I can't shake them off and if I try to flick them off with my finger they usually disintegrate and leave a horrible green mark on the clothes.

What I really need is some way of keeping them away from the clothes.

Has anyone got any tips?

Thanks

[factor-fiction]

Maybe it's just my washing powder that attacts greenfly then.

[B00]

Got to admit, ive never seen or heard of this before. Even went Googling for you, it came up with nada.

Sorry.

[boxtops]

I can't say I've had that problem, but perhaps you have them because there are no local plants to attract them? (It's very late in the year for greenfly, but they are still on my climbing rose!)

[factor-fiction]

Thanks B00 and boxtops. I've had this problem all summer but it was particularly bad today. I've got a few trees and plenty of plants in the garden which may attract them into the garden although I never notice the greenfly until I put the washing out to dry.

[Twirls]

Bit late for this year but I "import" ladybirds every year and that helps to keep the aphids down so that might help

[boxtops]

Are you using flowery scented wash powder or conditioner, factor? :-)

[Euphemia]

I had a similar problem recently with small black beasties

[argorstran]

Most clothes detergents contain UV enhancers to make the colours seem brighter . The insects are attracted to this ultra-violet light . On the list of ingredients you see "UV enhancer " or "optical brightener" as its sometimes called . It may not be easy to find a detergent which doesn't have these .

[factor-fiction]

Thanks all. I use standard Ariel and Persil liquid detergents which I'm sure many others use yet others don't generally seem to have a problem. So I think my garden must have a greenfly problem already and as arogrstran says they are then attracted to the clothes by the UV nhancer in the detergent.
One option is to look for a detergent which doesn't contain the enhancer.
However I also need to find out I think whether there is a particular tree or plant that attracts the greenfly and then look to see if there's any treatment I should/could apply to discourage them from coming.

[carlton23]

You need a plant that ladybirds are attracted to, or perhaps you have a lot of ant`s nests around your garden and the ants will be milking the greenfly for their honeydew which they exude from their backsides.