How to Get Rid of Blister Beetles on Tomato Plants
Blister beetles are small bugs that feed on leaves and flowers, and they are common pests of tomato plants. If you notice that the leaves or blooming tomatoes have been eaten, you should start looking for the bugs around the area of the plants. You can identify the blister beetles easily, because they are black and gray and about 3/4-inches long. The larvae of these beetles grow by feeding on the eggs of grasshoppers and can start to appear late during the growing season. It's important to remove the blister beetles as soon as you discover them to save your tomato plants. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Pick up the beetles by hand to get them off of the plant. You should wear latex gloves when using your hands or use tweezers to protect yourself from receiving blisters from the beetles.
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Drop the blister beetles in warm water that contains dish soap. If you don't want to kill them, you must make sure to take them far away from your garden. Make sure not to touch the beetles at any time, even after they are dead.
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3
Spray a Thiodan insecticide on and around the plants to prevent the blister beetles from returning. Apply as directed on the container, and repeat applications at the first of each week until there are no signs of blister beetles.
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Remove any weeds that are around your garden, bccause weeds can attract blister beetles. This is because grasshopper eggs live in tall weeds.
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Remove any dead insects and blister beetles from around your garden to make sure no poison comes in contact with your plant. Also, make sure to remove any fallen or diseased tomatoes immediately.
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Tips & Warnings
If you kill the beetles, make sure you dispose of them, because the poison they have in them remains active.
