Pest Control for Eggplants

Avoid most pest diseases by planting disease-resistant varieties in well-drained soil.

Eggplants are susceptible to various diseases, but disease-resistant cultivars are available for most disease-causing pests. Most insect pests which are attracted to eggplants are simple to keep under control, making eggplants a low-hassle addition to the vegetable garden.

Identification

Insect pests such as aphids, whitefly, mites and thrips suck the sap from eggplant leaves, and can often be spotted on or flying near leaves and stems in large numbers. Pepper weevils are dark, 1/8 inch long beetles whose larvae feed on the fruit from the inside out. Eggplants that wilt even when soil moisture is sufficient, or that have mottled leaves or inexplicable dieback, may have a fungal disease or virus. Send a sample to a garden center or extension service for proper diagnosis.

Prevention

Avoid planting eggplants near other plants of the nightshade family -- including other eggplants -- to avoid exposure to soil and weeds that host pest insects and diseases. Mulch thoroughly and water regularly to prevent blossom-end rot and to control weed pests that may vector viruses. Compost all nightshade plant parts in hot compost to prevent pepper weevils from overwintering in them.

Treatment

Soak the eggplant in insecticidal soap to kill soft-bodied insect pests. Pull weed pests by hand, chop them down then smother the area with weed cloth. Apply three three inches mulch to the top of the weed cloth. Most viruses and fungal diseases cannot be treated successfully, and the plant should be destroyed.

References

• UC Davis, Vegetable Research and Information Center: Eggplant
• University of Arizona: The Elegant Eggplant