BUGS ON TOMATOES AND BUGS ON BRUSSELS SPROUTS HELLLPPPPPP

Two catastrophes - Very small white bug devils on my grape tomatoe plants. Surely up to no good. Foliage looks munched in several areas. And ID on predetor?
Inside budding area (whatever thats called) of the brussels sprouts (however you spell that) Lots of stripped catepillars are munching the heck out of my plants. My favorite plants. God no! Please anyone. OK OK, I'm ready for the organic spray solution recipe. Anyone have a tried and true organic spray? I looked at this tropical looking tree in the backyard and about a dozen catepillars are happilly and systematically eating every square inch of leaves off the tree. I wanted to be sick.
Desperate times call for desperate measures. I am poised at the cuisenart with garlic cloves. Do any of these sprays really work? Freaking out here people.

Try soapy water...2 tablespoons to a gallon of water, spray it on the critters. Repeat as necessary. Take an aspirin and go to bed.

Ru agreeable to Bt? It is "organic". It is a bacteria (occurs naturally in nature) that kills caterpillars, and only caterpillars. Spray it on their food, they ingest, get sick and die. Birds can eat them safely. Bacillus thuringiensis... Green Light Bio Worm Killer, Thuricide, Dipel is a dust...



This message was edited Jun 21, 2006 9:58 PM

WORM,
My suggestion is diazanon or similar. Dont play around with them, IMHO.

Best;
bluelytes

OK, so maybe Bt for the caterpillars. But what are those little white bugs on the tomatoes? Or would you all need a pic to tell? Thanks

you certainly don't want to put diazinon on something you are going to eat. ceejay is right. BT is a miracle worker for caterpillars. the other bugs could be whitefly, if they fly, or aphids if they don't. my suggestion for both at one time would be diatomaceous earth. you can buy a poof duster to put it on or you could just take tiny handfuls and throw it on the plants, totally safe and organic too. don't go breathing the dust though.

bluelytes, while i can appreciate your humor, you really shouldn't tell people, even in fun, to put a pesticide on their vegis.

TRAC,
Pesticide on veg if VERY effective, just FOLLOW LABEL directions. You dont spray them and immediately pull them off and EAT them, for crying out loud.
You should always wash off veggies prior to eating anyway. I sprayed my peppers with it, and am FINE with it. Since There were NO PEPPERS ON the plant at the time, and if I wait the recommended TIME AFTER waiting, wash the veg, they say it is safe.

As I said, it is "my suggestion", and nothing says anyone has to LISTEN to my suggestion. I just pass on what worked for me in my situation. It is up to them to decide if its what they want to do for their situation, is it not???


Best;
bluelytes

wormboy was asking for an organic solution and i was providing two solutions. i realize that diazinon is used commercially on fruit and vegetable crops, but a lot of people here on dg don't want to eat it if they don't have to. it is also non-specific, meaning it also kills good bugs and bees.

You say your foliage is munched? That would rule out aphids or white flies....they suck the juice from the leaves. Can you get a picture? That would help a lot. Still, soapy water would probably do the trick. And it would definitely do the trick on aphids.

Please, please, no bad blood and hurt feelings. DG is a HAPPY place. I love to hear everyones suggestions. I take it all in and formulate a plan of my own. I appreciate everyones input, but don't like anyone to snip if they can help it. Certainly not on my account!
Anyway, will try to get pics of white bugs if I can get home in daylight. I will try to post tonight.
Where can I buy this diatomaceous earth? Home Depot? Wallmart?
Thanks

my lowes finally just started carrying it. you might want to call around first before you make a trip. you can buy it online too if all else fails and you can't find it. it really is great and interesting stuff. it cuts the little nasties into ribbons, but doesn't harm anything else, (dogfeet/peoplefeet etc.)

don't worry about the bad blood, there isn't any that i know of! LOL we just have a thing where we tease eachother. at least that's what i hope it is!

My blood is not bad, OLD, but NOT bad, ;)

Best;
blue

wormboy,
Any pool supply store will have all the DE you want. OR any where pool supplies are sold. I always got better service at Leslie's, but all have it.

bubba, is it the same? i've heard the pool people handle it, but was told it was a different grade. i hope you're right. i've probably been scammed by the garden product people. lol

The pool variety is not the same as the garden variety. Something about the edges not being sharp in the pool variety.... But I don't like to use it, because it is dangerous to breathe in...I think it's able to cause silicosis. Something like that. I use soap instead. A wuss.

I've heard you're definitely not supposed to use the pool kind for gardens, don't remember why but I do remember I've heard it several times as a big no-no.

that's what i thought. thanks!