Before it ticks over to August, there’s one crucial garden job you need to do. If you’re a keen gardener and you grow plants in your outdoor space, this task could be an important one for you.

In summer, it can be hard trying to make sure your plants stay in top form and especially with so many insects or pests around, you might find your plants looking worse for wear. It’s important not to harm any wildlife in your garden, but instead use recommended methods for getting rid of aphids, which could damage your plants.

On its July gardening checklist, BBC Gardeners’ World says: “Check crops such as runner beans regularly for aphids, and rub or wash them off straight away, before they multiply.”

These insects may attack your runner beans and be found on your other vegetable plants, so make sure to keep an eye on them.

Garden Focused says: “Runner Beans suffer aphids (small blackflies and greenflies) to the same degree as many other vegetables.

“You will know the plant has them because there will be lots of massed black/green tiny aphids on the leaves and stems – they tend to prefer the new growth and the undersides of leaves, but will spread all over the plant if left to their own devices.”

It says you may see ants crawling up and down the stems, which are farming the aphids and could make the issue worse.

Ants benefit from aphids by eating the sugary liquid they secrete, and ants are very organised animals.

To get rid of the insects, you should pray with diluted washing-up liquid (a couple of drops in a litre of water).

The spray should wash off many of the aphids and is an organic way to remove them.

Plants on which aphids may be found:

Aphids love to feed on camellias, dahlias, nasturtiums, and roses as well as citrus plants, fruit trees, shade trees, and shrubs.

You may also find them on vegetable plants, in your greenhouse or even on houseplants.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure your plants won’t become damaged by these insects.