Author Topic: Green fly in February! (Read 1275 times)

Possum · « **on:** February 15, 2024, 12:14:11 pm »

I pruned the shrub roses back in January. It has been so mild down here recently that quite a few small leaves have sprouted already. I was doing some weeding this morning and found three groups of greenfly on the new leaves.

I've never seen them this early before. I've gently rubbed them off and hope we get a bit of a chill to stop any more appearing.

arobwk · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2024, 10:34:44 pm »

Would be worth giving your roses a "white-oil" spray in all their nooks and crannies to limit further hatchings.

Possum · « **Reply #2 on:** March 14, 2024, 03:22:08 pm »

I've been spraying it with washing up liquid solution every few days. Seems to be keeping them in check.

doganjo · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2024, 02:03:07 pm »

I walked into a cloud of midgies yesterday - what?

?

arobwk · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2024, 05:49:40 pm »

Quote from: Possum on March 14, 2024, 03:22:08 pm

I've been spraying it with washing up liquid solution every few days. Seems to be keeping them in check.

Non-detergent soap would be better, but if roses not complaining carry on. Stick a few drops of veg oil in your soapy spray mix (= "white-oil") to make it "clingier".

arobwk · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2024, 05:55:04 pm »

Quote from: doganjo on March 16, 2024, 02:03:07 pm

I walked into a cloud of midgies yesterday - what? ?

Yum, yum !

I hope this doesn't mean I will see an early appearance of swarms of St Marks fly this year?! If I do, hopefully their "season" will not be extended. I detest the little bugs slowly hovering all around me. (I'm not a great lover of insects generally, but working amongst swarms of these things is really unpleasant.)