Red aphids on tomatoes

13 years ago

I've always had good luck with tomatoes until a few years ago. I got some blight/fungus/spore that systematically destroyed my entire garden and just got worse with each year. This year I removed the top 10 inches of soil (I heard the spores stayed in the soil and once you had it you had it) and replaced with a beautiful peaty mix. I was so hopeful for my garden! When I brought my tomato plants home I found red aphids on two plants and promptly threw them out. I thought I checked the others thoroughly but I guess not well enough. The plant pictured above is infested but the others just have some here and there. I sprayed all with a water mist that had 3 drops of dawn dish soap in in. The bugs look dead but I feel like this particular plant is a goner and should be yanked. Did I do okay with the spray? Is there something else I should do?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

digdirt2
13 years ago
The plant in the pic looks quite healthy to me. I sure can't see any reason to pull it.

If you are sure they are aphids then aphids are relatively easy to control. If you want to use the soapy spray formula the standard recipe is 1 T soap per gallon of water lightly misted on the plants (especially underside of the leaves) but not in the direct sun or heat of the day. Some add 1 tsp. vegetable oil to the mix so it will stick better.

Otherwise there are several commercial sprays available to use on them that are quite effective. Safer makes a good one specifically for aphids that has quite good results.

Dave
nj_cheryl
Original Author
13 years ago
Are the tomatoes safe to eat after using commercial sprays? I try to keep it as clean as I can without using pesticides. Not that Dawn is organic, but I don't know what that other stuff is. I used the 3 drops in a tiny (5 oz) bottle so I guess that's about right. Some are still alive, so I'm going to try the oil tomorrow.
Related Professionals
Williamsburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Manhattan Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Mesquite Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Idaho Falls Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Miami Landscape Contractors · Tampa Landscape Contractors · South Bend Landscape Contractors · North Adams Landscape Contractors · Port Saint Lucie General Contractors · Charleston General Contractors · Dallas General Contractors · Fort Worth General Contractors · North Adams General Contractors · Stockton General Contractors · Ottawa General Contractors
digdirt2
13 years ago
Are the tomatoes safe to eat after using commercial sprays?

You eat them all the time if you ever buy tomatoes of any kind - even canned - at the store. Commercial grown fruits are treated with far more chemicals than most any home gardener can or does use.

Plus many commercial sold sprays, like the Safer I mentioned, are organic/natural, not chemical. Just takes a little online research to find out all kinds of info.

Don't think that homemade sprays are perfectly safe. They can cause just as much damage to plants as any commercial spray can especially when the wrong mixture is used or it isn't applied properly. Not only is guessing at amounts not effective on the pests but risks damaging the plant.

Make the recipe as it is written then pour it into your spray bottle.

Dave
nj_cheryl
Original Author
13 years ago
I'm sure you're right, Dave, thank you!
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
13 years ago
Dig is talking about commercial insecticidal soaps. They are usually more effective and safer to use (as far as the plant is concerned) . I'm still taken aback that you removed 10 inches of top soil! Yikes.
nj_cheryl
Original Author
13 years ago
Rhizo I was DESPERATE! I had some kind of blight or fungus that just got worse for the last 3 years. Everything I read said once the spores were in the soil you couldn't get rid of it. I know it was radical. BUT, so far, so good! If its gone then it was worth the expense and trouble!