We haven't had any problems here. You could try some of the other "herbal"
sprays such as garlic or even "Cleansel" (spel?) insecticidal soap - if you
can find them (disclaimer: I haven't tried either product, but they are
probably safe). We have the liquid malathion products (aphid or catepiller
sprays) but prefer pyrethrum - not quite as nasty as the chemical brews.
Alternatively, get some pyrethrum plants/seeds and make your own! I think
you mix powdered *unopened* flower buds (more pyrethrum in them) with
kerosene, and possibly dilute with water, but I'm not sure.
>>(Probably mentioned this before, but anyway) We use a piece of cloth,
>>which has holes too small for gemmae to get through but enough for
>>air, tied over the end of a vacuum-cleaner nozzle and simply suck them
>>up! CAUTION: make sure your plants are very well rooted...
>
>
>This is funny. No, I'm sure you haven't posted this information
>before!
Well, it really does work. Just hold the "baffled" nozzle close to the
"rosettes" of gemmae and gently poke at them with a pen/stick/etc if they
are a bit stubborn. Then put the gemmae coated nozzle over a sheet of paper
and turn off the power, and coax any stuck gemmae off the cloth.