If you notice a few black or green lice on tomatoes, you need to act quickly. The pests multiply quickly and can cause damage. We list the most common reasons why lice infest vegetables and explain which home remedies you can use to combat them organically.
Black and green lice on tomatoes: that's the difference!
First of all: There are different types of aphids. The lice on tomatoes can be black, green, brown or yellow-green in color. The green types can be found on the lower side of the leaves. Some black aphid species can fly and are therefore often confused with flies.
Are they small flies or aphids on the tomatoes?
The pests first attack the young leaves and shoots and are often found at the base of the leaves. If they multiply uncontrollably, they dielarge amounts of honeydewout of. This sticky, sweet substance attracts ants, which tend to the aphids and bring them to neighboring plants. The feeding points on the leaves are entry points for fungi, viruses and bacteria. Especially in the greenhouse, where many crops grow close together, an aphid infestation is very dangerous, especially for the young plants.
So that you can detect the infestation in good time, check the tomatoes regularly, preferably before each watering, for the following signs:
- yellowed young leaves and shoots
- the young leaves are discolored and curled.
- there is a sticky substance on the leaves.
Use black tea against green aphids
Black tea should be used at the first signs of an infestation - then it can effectively help against aphids. If there are already large colonies on the tomato plants, then it is better to try milk-water.
To spray against pests, first put 800 ml of water in a pot and bring it to the boil. Then 3 to 4 tea bags are poured with the water. After about half an hour the tea bags are removed. Allow the tea to cool and then pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the affected plants and neighboring plants from top to bottom. Then also spray the soil in the root area. Repeat the treatment every two days for the next week.
Milk water against small black flying aphids
Milk is a fast-acting and reliable remedy against numerous pests. It is also against aphidsTomatoes very effective. The lecithin it contains forms a sticky layer on the leaf surface and the aphids suffocate underneath. The products are also so effective because the pests don't have time to react. Aphids have a protective mechanism - when they are disturbed or attacked, they emit certain scent signals. The rest of the insects quickly give birth to offspring with flies, which leave the plant and settle on neighboring plants. Milk can prevent this.
For the spray, pour 200 ml milk and 400 ml water into a spray bottle, close and shake carefully. Then spray the affected plants with the milk solution. Repeat the treatment after about 2 days and then spray the plants eight more times in the next two weeks as a preventive measure.
Soft soap against many lice on tomato plants
A solution of water and soft soap has similar results to the milk solution. All parts of the plant are also treated; the root area is sprayed with the rest of the soapy water.
Soap nuts against lice on tomatoes
Soap nuts work very quickly and can help even with large colonies. For the spray, put 500 ml of water in a pot and add 5 soap nuts. Bring the water to the boil briefly and then remove the pot from the heat. Let the brew cool overnight and then spray the plants the next morning.
Prilwasser against lice on vegetable plants
Prilwasser, a solution of Pril dishwashing liquid and water, is an effective home remedy against lice. You fill about 400 ml of water into a spray bottle, add 1/3 teaspoon of dishwashing liquid to the water and close the bottle. Then shake it vigorously and wait about 40 minutes. You can then spray the aphids with the Prilwasser. All parts of the plant are treated. You spray the plants and repeat the process after three days.
Lacewing larvae against aphids
By the way, there are also some beneficial insects that effectively combat aphids. These include, for example, the lacewing larvae, which can eat hundreds of aphids in just three weeks. The lacewing larvae are harmless to humans and animals and are sold in garden centers.
Another variant would be to attract the lacewings together with other beneficial insects in the home garden. To achieve this goal, you can place an insect hotel next to the vegetable patch or in the greenhouse.
Do you want to fight lice on tomatoes? Then use a home remedy from our list. They are harmless to people and animals, do not harm plants and guarantee a rich harvest. By the way, if you notice flying aphids, check the neighboring plants for signs of infestation.
