Growing tomatoes at home is notoriously difficult, but when done successfully, they are one of the most delicious garden crops - the insane taste of home-grown tomatoes is undeniable. Unfortunately, these plants are susceptible to many pests, so you may have to fend off several attacks before you can eat them. Healthy soil, consistent irrigation and good nutrient supply guarantee robust plants that are better able to resist pests and diseases as they develop. In the following article you will learn more about how to control black flies on tomatoes because they are some of the most common tomato pests!
Do you often see small, black flies crawling around in the potting soil of your tomatoes? The fungus gnats are in this casethe most likely pests. However, your plants could also be attacked by thrips - these are the flies that can be seen on the leaves of your tomatoes.
Recognize thrips
Small, thin insects called thrips are best seen with a hand-held magnifying glass. These pests are so tiny that they can hardly be seen with the naked eye. Thrips can also be found on the tips of shoots, fruits and on the underside of leaves. They may be tiny, but they cause significant damage to plants. They damage plants by transmitting infections through the sap they ingest.
Although thrips have a short lifespan, they can produce up to 15 generations in a single growing season, creating significant problems for plant owners. Most thrips species can overwinter in garden waste, where they then lay their eggs in spring. The eggs hatch in about 5 days, and the feeding frenzy lasts up to 3 weeks, which is enough time to destroy the vigor of otherwise robust tomato plants. Due to their feeding habits, thrips canDisturbances in plant development, cause malformation of flowers and white or silvery spots on developing leaves.
How you can fight black flies
- Check the plants and keep an eye on them
All plants brought into the garden should be inspected for thrips or thrips damage. If you spot pests, spray them with a strong, all-encompassing jet of water.
- Remove grass and weeds
To get rid of thrips, it is important to eliminate their intermediate hosts, i.e. remove weeds and grass from the garden. After harvesting, pick up any remaining debris in the garden.
- Use beneficial organisms as a biological method
Use beneficial insects to control and eradicate all stages of this pest - tiny predatory mites, ladybirds (particularly effective in greenhouses) and lacewings are best. For best results, spray or otherwise kill an extreme infestation before releasing the natural predators.
- Use mulch that reflects light
Using reflective mulch can deter thrips by blocking their visual cues to the plants' location. While this strategy might work on young, smaller plants, its effectiveness often decreases as plants age. Small gardens can also benefit from using aluminum foil.
- Use neem oil
Neem oil is non-toxic and efficient at eradicating heavy infestations (without killing the environmentally valuable insects).
Black flies on tomatoes – fungus gnats
While adult fungus gnats are usually just a nuisance, their larvae, which live in the soil, can cause significant damage to young plants and seedlings by feeding on the sensitive, new roots. The infestation places additional stress on young plants as they have difficulty establishing themselves due to root damage. Damage to a plant usually first manifests itself as wilting, followed by the death of the plant. If you notice very young plants that are becoming limp or appear to be rotting in place, fungus gnats are probably to blame.
Controlling fungus gnat populations requires understanding the insects' life cycle and their main feeding times. Fungus gnats lay their eggs in cracks in the ground. Within six days of hatching, the eggs transform into larvae that feed on the roots of plants. After two weeks, they feed on the roots of plants, pupate in the soil, and emerge as adults about a week later to begin the cycle again. Fungus gnats have a high reproductive rate because they produce predominantly female offspring. A single female can lay around 100 – 300 eggs. That's why this pest is so dangerous forYour tomato plants.
Get rid of fungus gnats successfully
- Use yellow boards
Yellow boards coated with glue serve as bait in these traps. They are most effective when cut into small squares and either placed on the ground or attached to skewers at a slight angle above the ground. The adult fungus gnats land on the board and get stuck in the glue. Use the yellow panels instead of the blue ones as fungus gnats are attracted to the color yellow. Both are available at any garden store or even online.
- Make your own vinegar trap
Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a shallow container (a tuna can works great for this). The liquid must be at least 1.5 cm deep. Add some dish soap and whisk the mixture. The trap should be placed either near the plant's root system or preferably in the pot on the ground. Check the trap every few days and give it a new dose of vinegar and water.
