Spitting in the garden

Hello everyone. I am new to computing and just finding out how to use it. Isnt technology amazing. I just hope that I am putting my question in the right place.

Can anyone tell me what is spitting on all my plants and how I can prevent it. I have never had
this this problem before.

Its great reading all your problems and opinions
Thank you.

 

Hi Leahbe.Welcome to the site.

The spit on your plants is caused by the "Nymph" of the Common Froghopper{Philaenus spumarius}.

The Nymph secretes the "Cuckoo-Spit" from it's abdomen so it can live and hide, while it is feeding on the sap of plants, and to protect it from predators.
If you blow on the spit you should be able to see the light green Nymph amongst it.

The best way to get rid of them is to either spray the plants with a hose pipe to wash them off, or to squash them with your fingers.

As they don't cause too much damage to plants we tend to just leave them.

A spray that can be used on them is Provado Utimate Bug Killer that can be bought at your local Garden Centre.

As it is a Systemic spray it will get into the plant system,so that as the Nymph sucks the sap. it will take in the chemicals which should kill them.

Good Luck

Kandy

 

Can't add a lot to that except to say my garden is smothered in them every year, especially the lavenders.

 

They do very little harm and never become an infestation like greenfly. Leave them unpoisoned for the ladybirds and blue tits to eat

 

If they are unsightly then I just tease them out of the froth with a stick, bit of straw, penknife or whatever comes to hand and squish 'em. Otherwise it's out of sight out of mind. :D

 

Sounds like you have one of those awful teenage lads lurking somewhere :D :D :D

 

Thanks a lot for the information. I had a good look this morning and saw the green nymph. I also saw a couple of ladybirds on them so I will leave them alone.