While I was inspecting the garden yesterday and admiring how the plants are really starting to take off now, I found tiny red bugs only on my totamtoe plants. What are they, and how do I get rid of them (organically preferably)?

-- Eric Stone (ems@nac.net), May 15, 2000

Answers

Spider mites if they are REALLY tiny. If so, hit the plants with a heavy stream of water to knock them off, or spray with a soap mix. If they look something like a ladybug, they're most likely bean beetles. Don't think they'll hurt tomatoes.

If neither option is what you have, let us know about what size they are, a description of the insect and of the damage, if any. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 15, 2000.

They are really tiny, maybe 1/16" wide, and the largest I saw was maybe 1/8" or 3/16" long. No damage to the plants that I can see.

Thanks for the reply Gerbil!

-- Eric Stone (ems@nac.net), May 15, 2000.

I have tiny red bugs on my mint and coreopsis again this year. They look like tiny spiders. I can't find a picture of the spider mite, but water doesn't work with these. I wonder if these are the same as yours Eric? They turn parts of the leaves spotty black.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), May 15, 2000.

You've got to hit them HARD with water to knock them off. Or add a teaspoon or two of liquid soap or detergent (or buy the special soap sold for this) to a quart of water and spray the plants well. Make sure to get the undersides and stems. Next step would be pyrethrum, or possibly rotenone. For a homemade pesticide, make a strong tea of rhubarb or marigold leaves and try that.

If black spots are appearing it is most likely a fungus growing around the damage. There's a home remedy for fungus that you may not like. Dilute your urine one part in 10 parts water and spray on. Another home remedy is to collect the pest, whirl with water in a blender, strain, and spray.

My theory is that generally the plants will outgrow the pest and/or a predator will move in. In all the years I've gardened, I've never had to do much pest control. This year the tent catepillars were bad enough we went after them. Last year we had quite a few striped cucumber beetles. If they show up again this year and are beyond control with a bit of squishing, I'll probably pull the crops the insects are on and let them starve. Gerbil

-- Gerbil (ima_gerbil@hotmail.com), May 15, 2000.

Almost certainly spider mites, and pyrethrum is a pretty good control, without being too toxic. Gerbil - When, or before, your cucumbers come up, cover with a floating row cover. After the plants get some size, the plants are strong enough to survive the attacks. GL!

-- Brad (homefixer@mix-net.net), May 15, 2000.

Glad this got posted. I have spider mites in a dwarf alberta spruce tree. I have been blasting with pressure washer attachment to the garden hose. My tree is about 1/3 eaten up! (I never walk around to that side of my house!! I didn't notice the other side of the tree). Does the foliage usually come back? Anyone know? Thanks

-- sheepish (rborgo@gte.net), May 15, 2000.

Thanks Gerbil. Mint seems to survive anything, so I will probably ignore it. As it grows it doesn't look so bad. Maybe I'll hand pick affected parts if I get tired of looking at it.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@hotmail.com), May 15, 2000.

I tried water, but that didn't seem to work too well. Still no damage, but I'll mix up some dish soap and spray the plants down today when I get off for lunch.

-- Eric Stone (ems@nac.net), May 16, 2000.

The dish soap seems to be working! Thanks Gerbil!

-- Eric Stone (ems@nac.net), May 17, 2000.

I have tons of little red bugs allover my white patio furniture and in my daughter's sand box. They seem to be falling off my pine tree. They jump or crawl around, and if they land on skin, they bite! Are these the same citters you are talking about? Help!

-- Becky Aldrin (buzzette@nc.rr.com), May 25, 2001.