Growing Rhubarb

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17 Dec 15 Clara (Australia - temperate climate)
There are tiny white-ish flies eating the leaves of my rhubarb. They seem to prefer the smaller leaves and have completely decimated several leaves to the point that the plants are really struggling. I have tried pyrethrum but it is not helping. Does anyone know what these flies are and how to get rid of them?
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26 Dec 15 Peyton Mills (Australia - temperate climate)
They sound like aphids to me. Try planting garlic near it will help. A mix of garlic, chilli powder, coffee in soapy water make a good pesticide for them. Neem oil and soapy water is another recipe, as well any herbal oils with soapy water. If none of these work then try water pressure or removing them yourself, then re-locating or replanting your rhubarb. If you have aphids then usually ants come along with them since they are attracted to the honeydew secreted by the aphid, so planting peppermint will repel ants.
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