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 Post subject: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Wed Mar 28, 2012 10:07 am 
I planted tomatoes a couple of weeks ago and I'm noticing little winged flies (gnats) on the stems and underneath the leaves of the plants. I'm not sure what they are or how to treat them. I sprayed a couple of them this morning with a seaweed/bit of Ivory dish detergent in water mixture. I didn't want to do it to all of them in case it hurt them. What to do?

Also, I'm seeing lots of pill bugs in the garden. Will DE take care of them?


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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Thu Mar 29, 2012 6:26 am 
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DE will take care of pill bugs if they walk through it. I would spray tomatoes weekly with seaweed, without the soap. Make sure you have mulch around the tomato and when you are watering, only water at the root level and not on the leaves.

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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 9:08 pm 
I had a so called expert at a nursery tell me that the insects were damsel flies after examining a leaf. Also there were aphids on the underside and she said leave them alone because the damsel flies were beneficial and were taking care of them. Does this sound correct?


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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 6:45 am 
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https://www.google.com/search?q=damself ... 80&bih=655

A Damselfly looks similar to a dragonfly and no, they do not eat aphids. Where did you go for your diagnosis? Some aphids can have wings and can be red, black or green. Spray the plants weekly with seaweed.

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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 10:29 am 
I'm in Ellis County, so today I'm going to take a tomato leaf to The Greenery in Waxahachie and see what they say. I'm not seeing any damage yet but still lots of the ????'s on the underneath and up the main stems and some aphids.


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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:21 pm 
The owner of The Greenery said they look like some sort of aphid and to use seaweed with some orange oil a couple of times a week. The plants are nice, green and growing but infested.


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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 6:24 am 
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I would not use orange oil at all. It is very strong and you run the risk of damaging your plant.

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 Post subject: Re: Insects on tomatoes
PostPosted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 8:30 am 
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Orange oil mixed with compost tea, seaweed, etc. won't burn plants if used at less than 2 oz per gallon of spray. I use the Garrett Juice Plus with the orange oil added if pests are present.


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