Q: I noticed, when watering my fledgling tomato plant the other day, that its leaves are covered in yellow squiggles. I’m thinking some little buggy thing has attacked it. Is there something to be done to help it or is it doomed before it’s really started?
Leaf miners are fly larvae that feed on the interior of leaves. The fly deposits her eggs on a tomato leaf. When the larvae emerge, they burrow into the leaves and nibble their way through the interior of the leaf, leaving those telltale squiggles. Since the larvae reside inside the leaves, they are unaffected by anything sprayed on the plant. Leaf miner activity can distort leaves, rendering them useless to the plant. Happily, most plants recover quickly as new leaves emerge.
If there’s a heavy infestation, you can give the plant some all-purpose fertilizer to encourage new leaf growth. As the damaged leaves drop, remove them promptly and dispose of them in the regular trash (don’t compost). Plant nectar-producing flowers, such as alyssum, to attract beneficial parasitic wasps, which will control the flies that produce these leaf-munchers.
Q. Once again, mosquitoes seem to have taken over our neighborhood. How can we get rid of them, or at least avoid getting bitten?
Mosquitoes need standing water to breed, so most people think that if there’s not a pond or neglected swimming pool nearby there shouldn’t be a mosquito problem. Mosquitoes, however, are very resourceful and only need a tablespoon or two of water to multiply. This means that you may have to look in some unusual places for standing water. A small amount of water trapped in a recycling container, a saucer under a potted plant, bird baths, a non-running fountain, or a forgotten bucket of water can all harbor mosquito larvae. Mosquitoes can also breed indoors, so look in flower vases, pets’ water dishes, or jars of water used for plant propagation. They can also show up in fish tanks that don’t have vigorously circulating water. Mosquito dunks or granules (Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis) are effective against mosquito larvae that appear in fountains, bird baths, or any container that can’t be readily emptied.
Since mosquitoes can spread some rather nasty diseases, including Western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue, Zika, and West Nile, it’s always a good idea to avoid their bites. Avoid outdoor activity during their most active hours (dawn and dusk), wear long sleeves and pants with socks, use a repellent containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus. Sprays and electronic repellent devices are not very effective. Citronella candles and mosquito coils only work when the air is still.
Los Angeles County
[email protected]; 626-586-1988; celosangeles.ucanr.edu/UC_Master_Gardener_Program/
Orange County
[email protected]; mgorange.ucanr.edu/
Riverside County
[email protected]; 951-955-0170; ucanr.edu/sites/RiversideMG/
San Bernardino County
[email protected]; 909-387-2182; mgsb.ucanr.edu
Related Articles
What to do when you find a giant zucchini growing the garden? Tips for caring for your tomatoes during the hottest part of summer Why removing invasive vines is a good idea for gardeners There are many ways to kill a tree. Here are tips for keeping yours alive What’s a good way to attract owls to an urban neighborhood?Hence then, the article about what those leaf miners are doing to your garden plants was published today ( ) and is available on Los Angeles Daily News ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What those leaf miners are doing to your garden plants )
Also on site :
- California Congressman Slams Ex-Staffer's Sexual Assault Claims
- Iran-US war latest: Trump threatens to ‘finish’ war if peace talks fail as negotiators arrive in Pakistan
- Suspect sought after deadly Natomas High shooting