Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and
ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. PD |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
On 15/8/06 15:51, in article ,
"Easynews" wrote: I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. PD Try to keep your nerve and keep going with the bio remedies. Consider introducing more of whatever you're using in that line and perhaps hanging up lots of bird feeders full of seeds and peanuts to encourage them into your greenhouse. -- Sacha www.hillhousenursery.co.uk South Devon http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/ |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Introduce spiders it worked for me earlier in the year, mind you walking
into a spiders web first thing in the morning is not to be encouraged. I found spiders webs covered in greenfly/blackfly and other flying insects, or you could use old fashioned flypapers, use citronella oil either in candles or essential oil,(havent tried it but am told it works) Spray with soft soap Collect and introduce ladybirds Grow french marigolds. If in doubt or panic try Provado Ultimate Bug Killer I only use that on my Lilies for lily beetle regards Cineman Try here for eco friendly spray http://www.edirectory.co.uk/pf/pages...00ml&cid=8 80 "Easynews" wrote in message m... I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. PD |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Easynews writes
I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick Are you sure they're greenfly? Most of them don't fly - they only have a few flying individuals for dispersion. "Air is thick" sounds more like whitefly, of which I too have a mega-infestation. and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. PD -- Kay |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
"K" wrote in message ... Easynews writes I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick Are you sure they're greenfly? Most of them don't fly - they only have a few flying individuals for dispersion. "Air is thick" sounds more like whitefly, of which I too have a mega-infestation. and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. PD -- Kay No, definitely greenfly. I'm an entomologist. There are lots and lots of flying adults- but millions upon millions of larvae. I've never seen such a bad infestation. I've spent a fortune on bio remedies- now I'm pointing towards the chemical shelf at the local garden centre. |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Easynews writes
No, definitely greenfly. I'm an entomologist. Ok :-) There are lots and lots of flying adults- That's impressive! I've never seen more than a few flying ones even when plant shoots have been covered. -- Kay |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Easynews wrote:
"K" wrote in message ... Easynews writes I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick Are you sure they're greenfly? Most of them don't fly - they only have a few flying individuals for dispersion. "Air is thick" sounds more like whitefly, of which I too have a mega-infestation. and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. PD -- Kay No, definitely greenfly. I'm an entomologist. There are lots and lots of flying adults- but millions upon millions of larvae. I've never seen such a bad infestation. I've spent a fortune on bio remedies- now I'm pointing towards the chemical shelf at the local garden centre. I wouldn't suggest this normally but you are so desperate here goes: Cover your greenhouse with black plastic sheeting ... ... Then open the door and stand back. No need to tell you the result. If it works you will see for yourself. Sam |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Easynews wrote: I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. If it is that far out of balance you are forced to fairly drastic measures to regain control quickly. The fastest solution is an insecticidal smoke knock down with low persistance - you can still buy Permethrin based ones for amateur use as an insecticide. Afraid it will kill every insect though good and bad alike. Smoke is very effective. You could spray but getting under the leaves in a big greenhouse there are always nooks and crannies you will miss. Also you need to repeat after 7-10 days to get all the newly hatched eggs. Regards, Martin Brown |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Martin Brown writes
Easynews wrote: I've tried all the bio remedies- parasitic flies of various species and ladybirds. Now I'm facing millions of the greenflies- the air is thick and they are swarming over everything, tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, herbs, and fruit has pretty well stopped growing. I've been a committed organic gardener for years- but this has got beyond a joke- any tips? It is a large greenhouse- 18 feet by 10, full of plants. If it is that far out of balance you are forced to fairly drastic measures to regain control quickly. The fastest solution is an insecticidal smoke knock down with low persistance - you can still buy Permethrin based ones for amateur use as an insecticide. Afraid it will kill every insect though good and bad alike. Smoke is very effective. You could spray but getting under the leaves in a big greenhouse there are always nooks and crannies you will miss. Also you need to repeat after 7-10 days to get all the newly hatched eggs. If you really don't want to use pesticides, you could try something which someone recommended in urg a couple of year back for whitefly, ie a vacuum cleaner. I've just had a go on my whitefly and have been very pleased. I used the soft furniture brush, and simply vacuumed the underside of the leaves. Some of the plants look a bit wind-blown, but no leaf damage that I can see, and a huge disappearance of whitefly. It might not work with aphids, as I think they have a firmer hold on the plant, but it could be worth a try. -- Kay |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
"K" wrote in message ... If you really don't want to use pesticides, you could try something which someone recommended in urg a couple of year back for whitefly, ie a vacuum cleaner. I've just had a go on my whitefly and have been very pleased. I used the soft furniture brush, and simply vacuumed the underside of the leaves. Some of the plants look a bit wind-blown, but no leaf damage that I can see, and a huge disappearance of whitefly. It might not work with aphids, as I think they have a firmer hold on the plant, but it could be worth a try. If they're flying - "the air is thick" - it would be a solution for the airborne ones. I meant to say it but was diverted. Mary |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
Mary Fisher writes
"K" wrote in message ... If you really don't want to use pesticides, you could try something which someone recommended in urg a couple of year back for whitefly, ie a vacuum cleaner. I've just had a go on my whitefly and have been very pleased. I used the soft furniture brush, and simply vacuumed the underside of the leaves. Some of the plants look a bit wind-blown, but no leaf damage that I can see, and a huge disappearance of whitefly. It might not work with aphids, as I think they have a firmer hold on the plant, but it could be worth a try. If they're flying - "the air is thick" - it would be a solution for the airborne ones. I meant to say it but was diverted. Would it, though? I tried it on airborne whitefly a couple of years ago with no success at all. But I think whitefly are stronger fliers than greenfly, so you could be right. -- Kay |
Greenhouse greenfly infestation- help
"K" wrote in message ... Mary Fisher writes "K" wrote in message ... If you really don't want to use pesticides, you could try something which someone recommended in urg a couple of year back for whitefly, ie a vacuum cleaner. I've just had a go on my whitefly and have been very pleased. I used the soft furniture brush, and simply vacuumed the underside of the leaves. Some of the plants look a bit wind-blown, but no leaf damage that I can see, and a huge disappearance of whitefly. It might not work with aphids, as I think they have a firmer hold on the plant, but it could be worth a try. If they're flying - "the air is thick" - it would be a solution for the airborne ones. I meant to say it but was diverted. Would it, though? I tried it on airborne whitefly a couple of years ago with no success at all. But I think whitefly are stronger fliers than greenfly, so you could be right. I have no experience, Welsh daughter has used her vac on whitefly and says it works. I keep intending to try it - when they get worse - but lethargy runs in this family ... Mary -- Kay |
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