Greenfly and blackfly

[Tilly2]

I have just done a tour of the garden and found my lupins smothered in greyish/greenish insects and my sunflowers smothered in black insects. The ants seem to be crawling over the black insects but don't seem to be eating them.

I don't like using chemicals in the garden but having not had much luck with soapy water, I need to do something more effective.
Can anyone suggest a brand of spray which does not affect thing like bees, butterflies, lacewings and ladybirds.

I haven't a clue, never having used anything like this before.

[Tilly2]

No gardeners around this morning?

[carlton23]

Ants don`t eat greenfly, they use them, like we use cattle. They milk them for their excretions and then feed their young with it. Go to a shop like Wilko`s to get some Nippon and follow the instructions.

[Tilly2]

Thank you, carlton but I don't want to kill the ants. I want to kill the blackfly and the greenfly.

[mazie]

Hi Tilly here's a link for the Lupin Aphids. I think you may have to use a spray on these. Good luck with it

http://apps.rhs.org.u.../Profile.aspx?pid=653

[TOWIE]

Tilly - I had something similar on my willow tree - I blasted them with the jet washer - problem solved.

[mazie]

ermmm. I think the jet washer might just do a little damage to delicate lupins Den xxx

[TOWIE]

hahaha - you are probably right Mazie - I blast everything in site with the jet washer in my hand .................if only.....{;o)

[Tilly2]

Thanks Mazie. I didn't realise that lupins had their own aphids.
Towie, the jet washer is not a good idea in this house/garden.

[TOWIE]

You had best take gardening tips off Mazie, Tilly - she has a stunning garden.

[mazie]

Tilly just had a look Bayer Provado won't harm the ladybugs, bees etc.

[mazie]

Why thank you DEN x

[Tilly2]

Is it a cactus garden mazie?

[mazie]

LOL No Tilly that's another Story altogether....I'll tell you how come I'm a cactus one day

[Tilly2]

O.K. mazie. Look forward to it.