In the past years I have ordered ladybug larvae, which kinda worked, but of course once they turn into the beetles they will soon fly away.

I have now ordered a bunch of lacewing larvae. They say that they’re great aphid killers too. This time I’ve put most of the plants inside the balcony and closed the glass panes on the front. This helps keep the temperature nice and cosy, and it will prevent most of the adult lacewings from flying away, hopefully have them lay a few more eggs near the remaining aphids. I’ll try to keep the panes closed, but at some point someone will want to enjoy the warm weather on the balcony, and a hot balcony full of flies is probably not appreciated…

Thanks for the advise. This balcony is open only to the front, so birds don’t visit often (or they’re very sneaky).

Though I’d like to see birds, currently I really want insects that keep the aphids away. Occasionally I see a bee-shaped creature making a few circles across the balcony but then they leave again. The internet tells me I need to add dille, rosemary, mint, marigold, and other plants to repel the aphids and attract ladybugs. Well, I did all that, and the aphids even destroyed the mint and don’t fear the rosemary either, while the ladybugs hardly ever visit unless I add them myself, after which they eventually fly away never to return.