Black fly
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Myrkk
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There was an over abundant supply of black fly on a rogue tree that was due to be chopped. I’ve chopped it and put it in a black bag and tied it so they can’t escape and binned it. I’m sure there are others in the garden so not too worried about it but I did see small bumble bees going in and eating the sweet nectar they produce, off the leaves. Should I have been more tolerant? The leaves were all deformed and stunted and I was worried about disease spread.
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Westi
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Too late to worry about it now Myrkk! 
You could always supplement the loss to the bees with some sugar water. I always put some out when I see the first ones as don't know what they can find to support them except the really early plum & they do swarm it's flowers. These tend to be little tiny bees, but then the bigger ones follow & all enjoy it so tend to leave it out for them until there are enough flowers open to offer them proper nectar. I don't have any mixing recipe, but do put lot's of stones in the cat metal bowel for them so lot's of perching areas to take advantage!
You could always supplement the loss to the bees with some sugar water. I always put some out when I see the first ones as don't know what they can find to support them except the really early plum & they do swarm it's flowers. These tend to be little tiny bees, but then the bigger ones follow & all enjoy it so tend to leave it out for them until there are enough flowers open to offer them proper nectar. I don't have any mixing recipe, but do put lot's of stones in the cat metal bowel for them so lot's of perching areas to take advantage!
Westi
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oldherbaceous
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There’s a huge amount of black fly about this year, Myrkk, so I wouldn’t worry too much….anyway, i’m sure their mates will be with you soon.
Kind Regards, Old Herbaceous.
There's no fool like an old fool.
There's no fool like an old fool.
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Myrkk
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It is indeed Westi. I might buy some bee fondant and put that out so help their sweet little tastebuds.
I’d never seen such a lot OH, the leaves and stems were coated black and the leaves at the tip were all curled up. Bees were flying in as I held the cut branches in my hands and I had to wait on them going in, having their tea and then leaving. That’s when I started to feel guilty. There were clipping shears, ants and some other insects there too, so it’s obviously a quick stop cafe for them all.
I’d never seen such a lot OH, the leaves and stems were coated black and the leaves at the tip were all curled up. Bees were flying in as I held the cut branches in my hands and I had to wait on them going in, having their tea and then leaving. That’s when I started to feel guilty. There were clipping shears, ants and some other insects there too, so it’s obviously a quick stop cafe for them all.