I have two Cherokee Chocolate plants growing out of pots right now, and that are showing some leaf miner damage. So far I have been pretty diligent about smashing the buggers once I see damage on the leafs.

I'm considering using a soap and garlic spray to repel the leaf miner mamas. Has anyone ever done this with semi-fuzzy plants? Would it do more harm than good?

Also instead of smashing the larva with your finger nail, I have read a lot of people pinch the leaves off and destroy them. Would this be a better tactic?