Chilli plant

We have a chilli plant, grown from seed earlier this year, which has done very nicely inside, on our kitchen window, flowering and producing a few chillis. However, in the last month, it seems to have acquired some white specks on the leaves, which my partner thinks are some sort of bug/fly. I am not so sure what they are. But it is clear they are having a detrimental effect. Anyone got any ideas as to what these might be? TIA, Dan

 

Hi Dan
Sounds like spider mite damage, chilli plants are spider mite magnets
Check the plant for telltale webs and mites

 

thanks folks - is that as nasty as it sounds? and what can i do about it?

 

Regularly wash them off. Take a soft cloth and some tepid water with a squirt of washing up liquid, and wet the cloth in it. Then gently wash the leaves and stems, taking care to to snap or fold anything. Don't miss the underside of the leaves. Wipe, don't scrub. With a spray bottle filled with your soapy solution, spray into the nooks and crannies to knock off anything hiding in there.

I've used this method on indoor plants in the past with success, but you have to keep repeating because the bugs come back fairly quickly. I reckon once a week should do it.

Obviously bug spray is a more effective solution, but the gentle wash will help until you get some.