The message
from "Willobie" contains these words:
"Tom Pearson" wrote in message
...

Hi we're new to the list and although not avid gardeners we do enjoy
spend time gardening and being in our garden. We live in
Gloucestershire in the UK

We have however been afflicted with a massive infestation of Blackfly
on the ivy surrounding our house. The situation is so bad that you can
see them crawling over the glass and it's not a good idea to even open
the windows. The infestation is spreading to other plants and the
birds that nest in the ivy seem to have given up and gone away.

Can anyone suggest a solution as we are desperate.

Our Philadelphus seems to be the ultimate blackfly magnet. Last year we
spent hours each day removing them from the flower buds (first time it had
flowered) but they destroyed all the ones we couldn't reach. The local tits
spend hours sitting in the plant (while queuing for the bird table) but
never seem to touch the blackfly. Even the ladybirds fight to get as far
way from them as possible!

Any thoughts?

Yup - but don't tell the EU/DEFRA police: Boil up some rhubarb leaves
and strain the liquor off, then use it as a spray.

Very effective against all aphids.

--
Rusty
Open the creaking gate to make a horrid.squeak, then lower the foobar.
http://www.users.zetnet.co.uk/hi-fi/