BLACK FLY

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by Grandma Sue, Jun 13, 2023.

  1. Grandma Sue

    Grandma Sue Gardener

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    Hi everyone,
    As a first time grower of tomato, I find I have black fly :yikes:
    This evening while putting canes around my tomatoes I noticed them and was wondering if I could treat them with a soap solution ( 1tsp on washing up liquid to 3 litres of water) in the hope they will be dead tomorrow?
    1. Some say its the way to go
    2. Others say it will kill tomato plants
    3, Or should I buy an insecticide
    20230613_192351.jpg 20230613_191554.jpg 20230613_192212.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2023
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    They don't appear to be causing your plants harm, just a few winged ones as in your photo are not a problem. It's when you get a mass of the wingless ones on the plant's growing tip they suck the sap out and cause distortion. Never seen that on tomatoes.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      Don't spray any plant with washing up liquid it's too harsh. Either buy horticultural soap or a cheap liquid soap with no additives. I use Lenor Stergene for delicates, it's more or less pure soap.
       
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        Last edited: Jun 13, 2023
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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        I thought Lenor was a fabric conditioner.
         
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        • ricky101

          ricky101 Total Gardener

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          Think just rubbing them off by hand or a gentle spray with water would do as there are only a few.

          As they are outside exposed to everything you might want to consider this option -

          We had a heavy infestation of blackfly on our Dahlias last year as they often do, but we decided to leave them alone and it worked as the ladybirds and other predators like sparrows etc soon came along and removed them. We did loose the odd shoot/branch but the plants soon recovered ok.
          With fast growing toms doubt the aphids will do them that much harm while waiting for the predators to arrive, which will also benefit the rest of the plants in your garden.
           
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          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            I agree with others, it’s only a light infestation and at this stage nothing to be concerned about. If it were me, I’d just rub them out.
             
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            • JWK

              JWK Gardener Staff Member

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              Sorry, it's Stergene I use.
               
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              • Grandma Sue

                Grandma Sue Gardener

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                Thank you everyone, it's so nice to get quick advice when I thought my tomato plants would soon be lifeless.
                I have been out to water the plants this morning (6.15am) and I cannot seen any black fly on them. So spraying the leaves lightly as advised last night with a light spray for the first time must have done the trick. And has we were getting a breeze that evening the leaves would have soon dried out. :spinning:
                 
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                  Last edited: Jun 14, 2023
                • pete

                  pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                  My grandmother used to put her teeth in that every night.
                   
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                  • JWK

                    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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                    Nice clean teeth, my granny used Steradent pete :)
                     
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                    • pete

                      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                      That's the stuff, best not to get them mixed up.
                      I'm forever blowing bubbles. :whistle:
                       
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                      • infradig

                        infradig Total Gardener

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                        @Grandma Sue, I am unsure whether you have a black fly, or a Black fly aphid. It is incredibly difficult to distinguish these small insects from benign other varieties, even with suitable magnification and experience. Unless larvae appear, I would disregard your observation as significant; but time will tell.
                         
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                        • pete

                          pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                          I've seen black flying aphids, or winged aphids on tomatoes but never seen an infestation.
                          I think tomatoes hairs seem to trap them.
                           
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                          • Drahcir

                            Drahcir Gardener

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                            I was just going to ask about "what to spray on my broad beans" (Bunyard's Exhibition), which are not high, are just about to produce some flowers by the look, and have blackfly.

                            I have some Lidl washing-up liquid, some Co-Op "wool and silk" washing liquid, some actual soap, and some Provanto Ultimate Fruit & Vegetable Bug Killer Concentrate.

                            It looks as if the blackfly are affecting their growth. Since it will be a while before I can harvest any, I'm tempted just to use the deltamethrin, but will any others have effect without harming the plants?
                             
                          • pete

                            pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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                            My broad beans are pretty much covered in them,but mine are big enough to pinch the tops out, which i did yesterday.
                            Mine have had two sprays of washing up liquid, but I think you would get the same effect with just a high pressure jet of water from a sprayer tbh.
                             
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