Flies in the Greenhouse

[JR]

I seem to have a bit of a fly problem in the green house, some very small white ones and today some big black ones. I have tried my best to get them out and with some suscess but still have a few.

I take it its not good news. I am tempted to take the palnts out for a couple of days and wash it down.

What do you think?

[MKG]

Whitefly are the nasties - the black ones just sound like ordinary houseflies. Google it - you'll find a number of possible treatments, including (!!!) vacuum cleaning. Fly papers are good, if a little unsightly.

[ocailleagh]

As an alternative to fly paper, you can use strips of fabric sprinkled with various essential oils as a deterrent. Suitable oils include spearmint, peppermint, hyssop, cedarwood, lavender, citronella and sage. just hang the strips around the greenhouse. This method can also be used for fruit trees with an aphid problem, tie the strips to branches.

[maddles]

I grow Basil in our greenhouse and this helps deter flies (and tastes yummy too!), french marigolds are great for repelling whitefly as well so plant a few in there if you can fit them in and don't mind their scent. If they are whitefly you can use the sticky yellow cards; either buy them or make your own - any yellow card/plastic will do with something sticky on it to trap the flies. They are attracted to the colour not what is on it.

If the flies are on your plants you can wash them down with some soft soap or a mixture of washing up liquid and water.
Hope that helps a bit.

[JR]

Thanks all, fly paper & Basil. I have some pot with some in so will put some in the greenhouse. I some marigolds in there just about to flower too.

I will get something over the weekend yellow and sticky rigged up.