| I am growing tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, basil, parsley and dill all in pots on my back porch. Lately I have noticed little green insects with colorless wings resting on the leaves and stems of my vegetables. I have noticed some other black insects on the under the undersides of the leaves with some leaf damage occuring. I do not want to use chemicals to fight them what else can I use? Do I need different pesticides for each variety of plant and bug? Please advise me on what to do and where I can purchase or how I can make what you suggest. Thank You. |
| The little green ones are probably aphids. These are soft bodied sucking insects that tend to attack the softest growing tips. They can be washed off with a spray of water from the garden hose or can be sprayed with insecticidal soap according to the label instructions. Ladybugs will also control them effectively. I am not sure what the other pests would be, based on your description. On container plants it is sometimes possible to simply handpick the pests and use no pesticide at all. This might be the best approach until you can identify it and then determine the best way to control it. When treating for pests, always identify the pest and the plant and then read the label for cautions and correct use. |
