Oleander shrubs - blackfly

[Smowball]

I bought 5 of these shrubs a month ago, and most have flowering buds with a few opened. But yesterday evening I noticed that the buds are covered in blackfly, smothered. I don;t have anything at home to treat it so is these anything else i could use at home to get rid of them that won't kill the buds?

[quizbag]

You could try a dilute mixture of washing up liquid. Just spray it on. My Dad used it for years with no harmful effects to the plants - mind. he didn't grow oleanders.

[Brinjal]

Oleanders are very poisonous

[Smowball]

Are they?? What bit?

[rowanwitch]

all of the plant.... so if little ones are likely to pick them might be best to put them where little fingers can't reach. lots of garden plants are very poisonous its just a matter of being alert and maybe planting more appealling safe stuff where children can see it

[Smowball]

Only have a 12 yr old at home, and they are in tubs at end of garden on raised decking.

[rowanwitch]

just was your hands straight away after handling them... same for any plant even quite simple things can cause reactions

[Smowball]

So I shouldnt be putting the leaves in a salad ; )

[B00]

Can confirm that quizbag's suggestion of diluted washing up liquid in a spray bottle works a treat, least it did on my rose bushes.

[Smowball]

Am gona try it later B00, give them a good squirt!

[megfitz]

Diluted washing up liquid works even better if you add a splash of cooking oil to it ....helps it stay on the leaves and not drip off.

[Matheous-2]

"Only have a 12 yr old at home, and they are in tubs at end of garden on raised decking."
That sounds a bit worrying! -have you at least tied your twelve year old safely on???

[Smowball]

LOL, (have been very tempted though!)