I also have pets and children, so I'm not sure how to attack the problem

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Those are aphids and they come in various colors at various stages of life. The white things are the shells of the newly hatched small green ones. Outside, the can be blasted off the plants with a water hose. If your conservatory plants can be moved out temporarily that would work for them as well. If not, then you will have to hand wipe the leaves/stems or resort to a safe indoor pest spray.

In the garden I have found that a mixture of 1 T liquid soap mixed in 1 gallon of water and lightly misted on the insects (not the leaves) works to control them. Numerous other aphid sprays are available but I don't know which products might be available to you. As long as the label indicates aphid control it should do fine.

Good luck. ;)

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: Aphids

Hi digdirt are these usual garden bugs? Would I see them on my outside pumpkin plants? I have some inside and outside, but it has rained constantly here so I haven't noticed any outside yet.

Yes, they are quite common in the garden. Most garden plants will tolerate a light infestation of them but they reproduce rapidly so it's best to get them under control ASAP.

They are especially fond of nitrogen-rich plants so it is usually recommended to avoid the use of high N fertilizers or excessive fertilization.

In the greenhouse (conservatory) they can become a chronic pest, difficult to eradicate completely. As I said, we have numerous products available here for controlling them but I just have no idea what brand name products might be available to you. Your local gardening center/nursery should be able to make recommendations and I did find the one info link below about a UK source. Likely you can find many more sources via Google. Good luck. ;)

Dave

Here is a link that might be useful: UK info on garden pest controls - biologicals

Ladybugs and Green Lacewings are voracious aphid eaters and would work well in your conservatory environment without harming your plants in any way

kendra

Sometimes they are called "plant lice" maybe that term is used there.

Mark