As the UK prepares for yet another surge in temperatures this weekend, gardening experts are warning of a parallel rise in greenfly infestations and say the unlikely solution could be sitting in your kitchen. Brits are being urged to place garlic in their gardens to ward off aphids, as searches for “how to get rid of greenfly” have jumped by 15% in the past week.
The warning comes from the gardening team at Yell, who say green and black flies, commonly known as aphids, are thriving in the summer heat, and may pose a serious risk to both indoor and outdoor plants if left unchecked. The advice comes just as the Met Office confirms the UK is heading into a blistering spell of weather, with temperatures expected to exceed 30C across parts of southern, central and eastern England on Monday and Tuesday.
“From Sunday, temperatures will begin to rise across southern parts of the UK, as the remnants of Tropical Storm Dexter draw warm air up from the southwest across the UK,” said a Met Office spokesperson.
Aphids are small, fast-multiplying pests that feed on plant sap.
While a few may not cause lasting damage, large infestations can stunt plant growth and leave behind a sticky residue known as honeydew.
This can also attract other insects, including ants.
Experts say garlic is a natural and effective deterrent, thanks to its high levels of allicin, a sulphur compound that repels many insects and may also help protect plants from fungal diseases.
Garlic cloves can be crushed and placed near the base of plants, or turned into a homemade spray by mixing with water.
For gardeners who’d rather avoid the strong smell of garlic, there’s a less stinky alternative.
The expert said: “If you’d prefer not to have the smell of garlic in your garden, you can mix a few drops of washing-up liquid with water in a spray bottle and apply it to affected plants. This can help remove and deter aphids effectively.”
Yell also warned that over-fertilising with nitrogen-rich products can make plants more attractive to aphids, encouraging infestations. They advise gardeners to hold off on heavy feeding during the current heatwave.
With the combination of intense heat and increased insect activity, gardeners are being encouraged to act fast. While temperatures soar, pests are expected to multiply quickly, and garlic could be one of the simplest and most natural defences.