Keeping things pest free

I’ve just had another bout of greenfly. Really annoying. Closing everything down, cleaning and bleaching. Question 1, how long can the eggs or whatever last?

Luckily this is summer so I am growing lots on my patio. However I want a prevention strategy, as it’s always possible that one beastie gets in and zo don’t want to be fighting a losing battle again. Question 2;. Does anyone have a good preventative strategy?

I was thinking of:

  1. using the yellow sticky paper that attracts some bugs all the time.
  2. spraying the plants with soap and water at week two and three always … noted that after they get bigger than this it’s almost impossible to spray everywhere due to shading
  3. harvest on time … seems that after 7 weeks the leafy plants are more prone to getting sick

I already keep my system away from the kitchen where bugs from produce that I buy could jump on for a ride.

Any other thoughts or tips?