Could someone identify this tomato problem, it's killing my plants.
Posted Apr 21, 2009, 11:17 PM UTC
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my guess is a leaf miner insect
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i think you nailed it. thanks much.
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After some more searching, it looks like the best way to get rid of them is making sure you have lots of parasitic wasps, which means your need to plant a variety of flowers like sweet alyssum, fennel, yarrow, or a few carrots left to flower. The adults feed on the nectar. I'm guessing dill would work too since it is similar to carrots and fennel, also queen ann's lace, which is related to carrots as well as parsley and lemon balm. Good luck!
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I only have 8 tomato plants and very limited space. So far I've been just pinching off the leaves, but I think I'm going to try to smoke them them out by putting a hot cigarette near the spot where the worm appears to be and hopefully limit the damage.
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[deleted]
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Since you have cigarettes available you can try a nicotine based bug spray:
6 cigarette butts
2 cups of warm water
1 tsp of dish soap(like Dawn-to help the solution stick)
Boil the butts in the water for 5 minutes or so (to kill any residual tobacco mosaic fungus), Then add the soap. Strain mixture into a spray bottle.
Lightly spray infected areas of the plants. This mixture is not for use on plants where you intend to eat the leaves--like greens or cabbage.
Here is a Google link for more info on using Nicotine as an insecticide.
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Is it necessary to warn about the potential for poisoning?
I would throw away anything you have boiled tobacco in and also wear gloves unless this is going to be too mild?
IANAC
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You are correct that I was remiss in omitting the obvious. Wear gloves, use a disposable container like an old coffee can, label the bottle and include a Mr. Yuck sticker, not for internal use, do not feed to pets, etc.
I forget that many people are not accustomed to the basics of home handyman projects--thanks for the reminder.
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Boiling tabacco = poormans poison, never realised it is good for bugs too will give it a try if I get any critters on my plants.
Just thought I should mention it in case anyone tried it.
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