These pest are all over my tomatoes and beans.

Donna J
by Donna J
Since my garden is in the harvesting stage, how can I get rid of them and still pick my vegetables for same day eating? They seem to like the ripe tomatoes best.
  8 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 24, 2011
    I believe those are the nymphs of leaf-footed bugs, Donna, a common late-summer pest that loves tomatoes. The usual recommendation for control is the insecticide Sevin, which the label says is safe for use three days before harvest. If you're skeptical of such claims, you could try going out in the early morning when the bugs are a little groggy and seeing how many you can suction up with a hand-held vacuum. Put the canister in the freezer overnight and then dump the dead bugs in the trash.
  • Walter Reeves Walter Reeves on Aug 24, 2011
    Doug could be right but all of the nymphs of this insect family look similar. Could also be nymphs of assassin bug, a beneficial insect. If you see light yellow spots on the tomato skin, it's leaf-footed bug damage.
  • Donna J Donna J on Aug 24, 2011
    Thanks Doug. I will be willing to try the hand-held vac idea especially since the tomatoes are ready for eating. I'll let you know how it worked out.
  • JL Spring & Associates JL Spring & Associates on Aug 24, 2011
    Wifey told me her Daddy's trick and works GREAT! Dissolve a few aspirins in a spray bottle in water and the salicylic acid wards off the worst pests...I used to use lemon Joy and had to always wash really well before eating... Hope this helps...I've always heard sevin dust was a winner too but I mostly used on roses for beetles etc... Thanks for the posts folks! Always open to new ideas! JL
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Aug 25, 2011
    Good luck, Donna. Keep us posted.
  • Walter Reeves Walter Reeves on Aug 25, 2011
    Salicylic acid is known to induce Systemic Acquired Response (SAR) in plants. It makes the plant believe it's being attacked, so the plant raises its defenses. Use 250 mg. of aspirin per gallon of water,
  • Donna J Donna J on Aug 29, 2011
    The sound of the hand vac chased those pest and sent them in hiding before I was able to get at them. I tried the aspirin solution and as for now that seem to have taken care of the problem. No more pest!! Thank again for your ideas.
  • Marie Gines Marie Gines on Mar 22, 2013
    hi trie buy lady bug is a pest control natural