Climbing Rose covered in black fly

Hi everyone,

Well I have finally moved into my new house (yipee) and the garden needs quite a bit of taming but it will be lovely once done.

I have a very large climbing rose on the wall just next to the patio doors and it is absolutley writhing in black fly (the garden has not been looked after and everything has grown where it wants). Am I best just to hack it down and start again or should I use the soapy water trick?

Lel x

 

Why hack it down just because of aphids? You could try using a hosepipe at high pressure. That will blast them off and drown most. Then if they come back use the soapy water to mop up the stragglers.

 

If you don't mind using chemical sprays get some Provado Ultimate Bug Killer; unlike other sprays this one is systemic and is absorbed by the plant and then anything feeding on the plant is killed.
Doesn't work as quick as some other sprays, takes a day or two. Best sprayed morning or evening.
I know Homebase stock it, and probably most GCs.

 

Provado is good but surely not necessary in this case- it will kill all the beneficial insects as well.
I agree with geoff- a good nlast with the hose pipe and the soapy spray used as necessary.
Chives are good as a companion plant as well.

 

Another vote for Provado from me. If you're so heavily infested, then L-birds larva and H-fly larva can't control them. After using it, use the sprays and soap to keep the little Bxxxxxs off, hope something works!