Blackfly can be a huge nuisance to gardeners, especially when around some beans and other plants during spring and summer.
Luckily, there are several natural ways to get rid of them without resorting to pesticides.
Gardening expert James Ewens of Alexander Francis explained how to repel these insects with items often found in most homes.
He recommended mixing a tablespoon of dish soap with a litre of water in a spray bottle.
Make sure to coat the plant thoroughly, including the undersides of leaves, for more an effective application.
Water is also a simple yet effective method, especially if your infestation is on the lighter side.
Simply use your hose pipe to send a strong jet of water to blast the blackflies off your plants.
Be sure to spray the underside of the leaves as this is where they tend to hide. Repeat this process every few days until you’re confident they have all gone.
Similarly, oils such as rosemary, thyme, peppermint, and clove oil are a natural repellent to blackflies.
The gardening pro added: “Add a few drops of your chosen oil to a litre of water in a spray bottle and mist your plants.
“Just make sure you always cover the surrounding soil to avoid harming the plant’s roots.”
Ladybirds and lacewings are natural predators of blackfly, so attracting these to your garden can help keep blackfly populations under control.
Herbs like dill, fennel, and coriander are the perfect natural habitat for ladybirds, along with plants such as nasturtiums.
