Getting rid of Spittle bug

Discussion in 'Pests, Diseases and Cures' started by Greg C, Jun 5, 2019.

  1. Greg C

    Greg C Gardener

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    Hi. I seem to be getting quite a lot of spittle bug attacking my plants. I've had them on my Galardia Mesa, lavender and now my strawberries. What is the best way to get rid of them? Ideally if there is something organic I would prefer that. Thanks
     
  2. Palustris

    Palustris Total Gardener

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    Why get rid of them? To a large extent they are harmless. There is a move for people to report where and when they see them.
    If you really must remove them then a blast of water is usually enough.
     
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    • Verdun

      Verdun Passionate gardener

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      froghoppers seem more abundant this year than in the past....at least in my garden. Used to think they were harmless but recently there was a warning about them spreading diseases. True or not I don’t know:noidea:
      My remedial action was to either do nothing or to, as Spruce said, simply hose them off.
      There is a simple solution though.....hidden within their “spittle” there is a little bug. You can simply squash them :)
       
    • Greg C

      Greg C Gardener

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      I was under the impression they did a lot of damage. My Gelardia Mesa died off within a few days of me find them on there. I'll check the spittle to find the little bug. And blast with water as you have both suggested. Thank you
       
    • Upsydaisy

      Upsydaisy Total Gardener

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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        This is a bit more informative.

        Volunteers needed to spot bug's 'spittle'

        They're only a bit worried that a disease (Xylella fastidiosa) may be spread by the bugs but there has been no occurrence of it in this country and the bugs themselves do little harm. They just reported sightings of spittlebug so that they can get an idea of where concentrations of them are just in case they need to do anything.

        To save you reading the article I've copied extracts for you :blue thumb:

        You can report sightings here:

        "You can report sightings at https://www.brc.ac.uk/irecord/xylem-feeding-insects.

        Further information about the survey and the insects can be found
        here.

        Please note that it may take some time to access the links to report sightings due to a high volume of traffic."

        This extract from the article is of relevance to this thread.

        "The spittlebugs are not pests in themselves and do not damage plants, said Dr Robinson.

        "We don't want you to go round squishing the spittlebugs, but we do want to understand where they're living," she added.

        The disease is caused by a bacterium which is moved from one plant to another by plant-sucking insects such as the spittlebug."
         
      • Palustris

        Palustris Total Gardener

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        That is just too much hard work filling the the form. They want information I am not able to give.
         
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        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          Times are changing and fast even in our gardens, wildlife, etc.
          More and more pests and diseases are invading our shores and we need to be on our guard. I think the solution will be to grow things as well as possible, cut back on the fertilisers (thus reducing lush soft growth), allow good space between plants and to grow as naturally as we can !!?? :noidea:
           
        • shiney

          shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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          Don't blame you. We haven't got any Spittle so I didn't bother to look at the form. Have now looked and won't bother even if I find some. All they should need is the location and what it is. Unless you want to give your name, address and email they should allow you not to.
           
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