Flies flee from gardens when you use cupboard staple that pests hate

Aphids and greenflies are the bain of many gardens across the country. The little green bugs will happily chow down our leafy green plants leaving them full of unsightly holes and slowly killing the plant off.

What's worse for your garden is that the bugs are sap-sucking, weakening your plant's growth while also prone to transporting plant viruses that can leave your backyard looking bleak and empty before you know it.

The little green pests are also known to attract ants onto your plants - and their leftover honeydew can cause an infestation.

While the bugs are not much of a problem for most of the year, they often become a headache for avid gardeners at this time of year, with the population of greenflies usually exploding in early summer - particularly in June.

But for anyone who has just finished potting and planting out their borders ready to enjoy in the summer, you don't have to stress. There is an easy and simple solution that won't cost the world - and it can start working in a matter of weeks.

TikTok gardening sensation Gardening with Ish has revealed his quick remedy using just two ingredients you're guaranteed to already have.

His simple solution just needs a spray bottle full of water and around a tablespoon of washing-up liquid. Simply spray on them once a week for three weeks. Before you know it, your garden will be right as rain.

If you want more long-term results, there are other methods you can try too. The green-fingered guru added: "These days you can even order ladybirds online which are a natural predator of aphids, it really is that simple."

According to Chowhound, the washing up liquid method is not only great for getting rid of aphids, but also pesky caterpillars, grasshoppers, whiteflies and beetles.

Gardening expert Lucy Bradley explained the science behind the method: "The detergents in dishwashing soap...affect insects, washing off any protective coating on their bodies so they dry out.

"This is why creating a spray of soapy water to spray onto any soft-bodied insects like aphids, thrips, mites, and whiteflies works well."

However, gardeners have been warned to not overuse the spray as the harsh soaps can damage the plant's structure if it starts to build up.

You should also be careful not to spray any insects that are actually helping your garden, bees, butterflies and ladybirds are all great pollinators and can be crucial in getting your garden to thrive.