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  Graeme @ BGS June 16, 2009 at 5:33pm

  Swarms of greenfly in Berkshire - Surrrey for some reason isn't too bad.
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  pete June 16, 2009 at 6:44pm

  Skipping the question Vanessa - I'd still say to plant more tagetes, phacelia etc. and use finger and thumb if possible or water jet 'em - leave the insecticides to the farmers who have more to loose.
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  chris nangle June 16, 2009 at 7:51pm

  the iar is thick with em in shropshire so we are looking for the ladybirds too turn up mob handed
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  Nick Steele June 16, 2009 at 8:54pm

  According to BBC Midlands Today, they're Nettle aphids, and their numbers have rocketed this year because the season has been particularly good for nettles...its a country-wide phenomenon, the Beeb gardening message board has a thread about it, and people all over the country are reported the same plague.
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  Shadow Hall June 16, 2009 at 9:31pm

  Here in Norfolk they seem to appear as soon as you step outside the door.
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  pete June 16, 2009 at 10:14pm

  I've just come back from 2 pints of Enville Ale - first thing the landlord said to me was about the greenfly this year - and I was wondering, they must be proliferating on some specific plant/s (?) - but Nick, (I can't find that thread) what is a particularly good year for nettles?!! - I'm not buying that.--- ???
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  Vanessa Langford June 16, 2009 at 10:28pm

  Pete...Even tho there are trillions of them non of my plants are infested :o)
  I have Marigolds all over the place and don't use sprays in my garden. Good food for all the birds that are very busy at the moment.
  
  Thanks for the info Nick...I'll try and find it.
  
  There seem to be more in the evenings...I come in covered after watering!
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  Nick Steele June 17, 2009 at 6:28am

  The BBC report was from HRI Welford, so I'd be inclined to trust the info - but I've no idea what conditions this year have particularly favoured nettles. Its been an unusually good year for spring blossom this year, and the field behind the nursery is awash with wild poppies this year (hardly seen a poppy there for the last decade) so clearly there have been unusual climatic conditions...
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  Mark June 19, 2009 at 7:29am

  Not to worry...I went out last night on my bike and would appear to have wiped out at least half the population on the visor of my helmet !!
  
  So you should notice a few less about today ;-)
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  dgeorgea June 19, 2009 at 9:11am

  No idea what makes a good nettle season, but have been surprised visiting gardens and seeing a sea of nettles about 3 foot high. I suspect the recent cycle of rain and sunshine has probably helped. If I stil had the recipee for home made nettle shampoo I might have been tempted to borrow some heavy duty gloves and a strimmer and do them myself.
  
  Much closer to home, I was walking along and was surprised when a hedge suddenly came alive and a large mass of butterflies suddenly took off. It was like autumn in reverse with a mass of orange, brown and yellow just rose up in front of me.
  
  Nick Steele said:

  The BBC report was from HRI Welford, so I'd be inclined to trust the info - but I've no idea what conditions this year have particularly favoured nettles. Its been an unusually good year for spring blossom this year, and the field behind the nursery is awash with wild poppies this year (hardly seen a poppy there for the last decade) so clearly there have been unusual climatic conditions...