Spanish garden pests

Good morning all.

This is my first post on here, so a big Hello to one and all.

I really need some help with some pests. I've just moved into the suburbs of Madrid (Spain) and have finally got the garden I wanted. I'm currently growing lots of herbs, tomatoes and peppers.

Last week however I noticed some rather nasty little flies on the stems and leaves. I would rather not go down the insecticide or pesticide route and keep as organic as possible. From various websites I've found varied recipes from vinegar, to soap to urine.

I've attached a few pics of the little buggers, so any help would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks again and apologies if this is a repeated post.

Regards,

Richard

 

Hello Richard and welcome to GC.

I am not very good with 'ests' but basically here in Algarve we have the same sort of critters as the UK. Your critters could be thrips which thrive on plants with a commercial value, ie, edible produce.

I also do not like using chemicals and use a strong solution of washing up liquid in water in a pressure pump spray. Obviously I do this after the sun is off the plants so they don't burn. This is also good for whitefly/greenfly, red spider mite and ants. Vinegar in water is also good to use on ants as it disorients them and they lose the scent of their trail.

Perhaps someone will come along and give you more substantial advice.

In the meantime, enjoy the forum.

PS I see Marley pipped me to the post!

 

Thanks to both of you for your kind welcome and your suggestions. I will definitely try the soap as a first resort (and hopefully the last!).
Can I trouble you with a couple more questions however?
Is it ok to use Fairy dishwashing liquid - the original green stuff? If so, what ratio is it to water?
Secondly - what the devil are those black things?? From various pictures on the internet I think they're black fly, but not sure.

Thanks again.

 

Olá outra vez Richard.

I use whatever washing up liquid I have to hand, always a concentrate, so I'm sure Fairy will be fine. If you are going to use a standard spay bottle of about 1 litre, fill it with water and then put a large squirt in then shake to mix. If you put the squirt in first then fill, you'll have an overflow of bubbles ... It's a bit like cooking when you don't measure anything. :hehe:

As I said, I'm not an expert on critters, they could be blackfly or thrips which would take a fancy to your tomatoes and peppers. Whatever, the solution should kill them.

 

Hi to Richard, and welcome to GC.
Looks like you have the answer to your request already.
Good luck in clearing out the pests.
Robert of Yorkshire

 

Thanks Victoria, very helpful.
This place is great!

Un abrazo fuerte,

Richard. X

 

De nada, meu amigo.

Victoria xx

 

Morning all,

So it's the morning after I dosed my plants with soapy water as you all kindly suggested. I imagine it takes longer than 12 hours to get rid of these nasties as they're still all there, although I think less. Any idea on how many times I should repeat the process?

One thing I am worried about however is that the soapy water has left some of the tomato leaves rather mottled (brown), along with the basil. Should I just leave them as they are or trim them off?

I'll send some pictures later of what it looks like.

Thanks again.

 

Morning Richard

Did you spray directly on the critters or all over the plant? Assuming you did this after the sun was off the plants, did they get some sunburn this morning? I would hose or use a watering can over the top of the plants (NOT with the sun on the plants) to remove any residue and then re-apply directly on the critters ... I'm surprised it didn't work as it's fairly instantaneous. You can pick off the leaves if you feel they are unattractive on the plant but it won't hurt leaving them there.

 

Afternoon Victoria,

I've attached a few pictures of the mottled brown leaves on the tomato plant, but quite cheekily have included some pictures of my basil, rocket and parsley plants.

Just wanted to ask at what point to start removing the rocket plants to allow the strongest to grow? Also, on the larger plant pot you will see some parsley but also some baby lemon plants I planted. Is it ok do you think to keep these together for a little longer? Last question - is there too much basil in the same pot on the other photo?

Sorry for asking all these questions, and no doubt I should be in another forum section, but wanted to ask an 'expert'.

Thanks again for all your help.

:cnfs: