Safe Greenfly Spray ?

I don't like to use insecticide sprays on my garden . I grow enough to let the insects have a little munch. But I would like to control the greenfly a tad , I have heard of spraying with a Stergene and water mix . Now I cant find Stergene , would Fairy liquid mix be as good ? What is the mix ratio ?

TIA

 

If the plants are tough enough to take it, a direct blast with the hose smashes the greenflies up and even the survivors are apparently too injured to feed.

Where that's not an option, I've been known to just use water and washing up liquid, but I never really have too much trouble with them to be honest.

 

I only seem to be bothered with greenfly on my roses and with only having 8 plants I find that if I keep my eye on them as the buds are forming and simply rub the greenfly off with my finger and thumb. Admittedly if you have a large number of plants with greenfly this is not a practical option.

 

Yes Fairy Liquid will work, any washing up liquid , the soap clogs their pores or something like that.

 

Lux flakes (as pure soap) has my vote. Or boil up some Mare's tail and add the liquid to Lux flakes.

Cheers, Tony.

 

I'd never use washing up liquid.
Far too many nasty chemicals.
Anionic suffacants,
Non ionic suffacants,
Methylisothiaozolinone.
Phenoxyethonol.

Plus perfume.
And that is just Fairy.
The writing is very small so I might have spelt some of it wrong, they dont want you to know what's in it.

 

Pete, I was wondering what you use instead? I'm having major aphid issues! Is Stergene less harmful than Fairy?

 

I was in Asda Saturday couldn't see it , then again being a bloke if it doesn't jump out at me I have trouble finding it. I'll ask Mrs H to find some .
Without going into deep chemistry , is Stergene a soap and Fairy a detergent .

 

I just use whatever the local garden centre sells for killing aphids on edible plants. .
Its simple easy, and it works, in usually one spraying.
And in most cases if you dont actually hit the pest with the spray it still sorts them out.

 

I think I'll try the standard washing up liquid , at the mix suggested by John. We will see how it goes

 

What was Marley Farleys lavender mix used for, I remember immersing all the flower heads in water, then decanting into a spray bottle, and using it in the greenhouse, was it just for greenhouse use.