Aphids on runner beans. What to do?

Hi all

The past few days Ive been battling aphids on my beans. The bean plants are about 4 foot high.

Ive been spraying the aphids off the leaves, but the next morning theyre back in just as big numbers! I did notice this morning a couple of lady birds on the plants, which is good.

What should I do? Shall I continue spraying the leaves, or let the ladybirds do their job? Last year the same thing happened and I thought Id lost all the plants to aphids, but I dont think I lost one.

Is it safe to let the aphids get on with it and hope their predators eat them all? Ive got to go away for a week so Im worried what I might get home to!

Im a bit concerned becuase my dwarf beans are close by and - becuase theyre so small - I dont think theyll withstands an aphid infestation.

Thanks

 

Assume you are 'spraying' with just water ?

You could try one of the soap based edible safe sprays , various ones around in the shops or the one we tend to use SB Plant Invigorator, said not to harm creatures like ladybirds.

 

Ive just found an old bottle of https://www.amazon.co.uk/Provanto-86600246-Ultimate-Vegetable-Killer/dp/B07MJD645V . Perhaps Ill try SB Plant Invigorator.

Last year I used a mixture of washing up liquid/water, but it didnt seem to have any impact.

 

That Provanto will kill the good insects like ladybirds according to various sites.

Was thinking more of the common oil/soap based sprays like this.
Bug Clear Pest Control Pesticide 800ml | DIY at B&Q

We use that SB PI but its typically only found o sale in proper garden centers or as we do online.
They don't sell direct, but we got our last bottle from here, see bottom of page.
Red Spider Mite Pest Control

 

Squish some to get the numbers down and then leave the rest to nature would be my approach.

 

Yup, mine too! OK, if you are away, you are likely to come back to a population growth whatever you do, but squished ones can't add to the problem.

 

Squish and leave the rest to the ladybird grubs because those Ladybirds you have now will be laying yellow eggs at the moment and if they do the aphids will go.