Blackfly on tomatoes

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by FrancescaH, Jun 7, 2021.

  1. FrancescaH

    FrancescaH Gardener

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2020
    Messages:
    156
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Canterbury
    Ratings:
    +549
    Wondering if anyone can assist.

    Noticed lots of tiny flies (I presume blackfly. Very tiny black things with white/clear wings) hanging out on my tomato leaves and stems a few days ago.

    I sprayed down with Bug Clear. As I understand it Bug Clear requires direct contact to kill, so I guess it won't have an affect on eggs? Either way, I had hoped to see an improvement today but there are now more. It's hard to get in all the nooks as my plants are quite bushy and "unfurling" so the foliage is quite dense.

    Any other ideas, or do I just need to continue with regular Bug Clear dowsings to get through the full life cycle?

    Having looked at some pictures, my infestation seems minimal at present. Certainly not like the pictures of areas totally covered in them. These are just little dots here and there.
     
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    30,929
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +46,301
    I regularly get blackfly on runner beans and use a diluted soap to wash them off, it takes a few doses. If it's a small number I rub them off by hand, they go for the soft growing tips and if left alone damage the plant in a day or so. I've never had them on tomatoes.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • FrancescaH

      FrancescaH Gardener

      Joined:
      Dec 13, 2020
      Messages:
      156
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      Canterbury
      Ratings:
      +549
      Good news is I think the Bug Clear had actually worked but had killed the flies in place, so I thought they were still infesting.

      Don't have a hose that reaches out front (but off to buy one, getting sick of making 4 trips with the watering can to water the tomatoes), but doused them from top to bottom with the watering can and many flies just fell off. Normally don't like washing the leaves but it's a sunny day and hopefully they will get nice and dry soon.

      Off to buy a much longer hose.
       
      • Like Like x 1
      • pete

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

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        48,331
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +86,305
        Quite often black fly get caught on the hairs on tomatoes, they are slightly sticky.
        I think the black fly mostly starve, but just stay there in the hairs.
         
        • Informative Informative x 2
        Loading...

        Share This Page

        1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
          By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
          Dismiss Notice