Water jet and finger squash

How it works

A firm jet of water physically dislodges aphids, and few ever find their way back onto the plant. Squashing a colony by hand also releases alarm pheromone that disperses the rest.

Recipe

No mixing - just a hose with a firm nozzle, or thumb and finger.

How to apply

Every second morning while the colony is small. Support soft shoot tips with your other hand.

Targets — pests

Aphids, Spider mite

Targets — diseases

Not recorded — the field is blank rather than guessed.

Supplies: Hose or watering can

Days to harvest after spraying: 0

Best months: not recorded

Cautions

Not for delicate seedlings or in full sun. Damp foliage overnight can encourage mildew - do it in the morning.

The thing people get wrong

For a first small colony on a broad bean tip this beats every spray in the list on cost, speed and side effects. Most aphid problems are solved by noticing them ten days earlier, not by buying something.