Kitchen Garden Forum

Got blackfly on my runners. Thinking of trying horticultural soap as I have heard washing up liquid is no longer suitable as it does not have 'true' soap in it's ingredients?

It is the wetting agent that does the trick I think, breaks down the water's surface tension so it can drown the little darlings, detergent has that in spades.

Ok so ill try spraying some fairy liquid. Any idea of good water / detergent mix ratio?

I've had the blackfly on my broad beans for a fortnight or so and I have run out of chemical spray so am spraying with about 1 tablespoon of washing up liquid mixed in 1 litre of water. Have not checked my runner beans but they usually start on the broad beans then appear on the runners later so will have to have a look.

Good luck
Barney

ps Just looked out the window Compo and it's raining, at last.

Hi Barney. One heavy shower last night. Ill inspect the beans later!!