Allotments 4 All

Does anyone know how to get rid of the black insects on these plants? Do they do any harm?

Hi - I think they're blackfly (anyone - please correct me if I'm wrong).  They look just like greenfly - except for the colour, of course.

They suck the sap out of the stems.

As with all aphids, the best natural control is ladybirds - especially their larvae.  Yum, yum.

If there aren't any ladybirds around, you can wash them off with a soap water solution, and / or squish them with your fingers.

If you want to go down the chemical route, try a search for aphid pesticides.

Hope that helps.

blackfly adore them this is why good to grow them as a companion plant near broad beans for one  :)

Thanks for both your replies, very helpful,  i'll plant some in my bean/pea bed