Black bugs I've never seen before!

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tacomagardener Tacoma, WA Aug 11, 2013

These were on my Calendula stems this morning..what are they and should I pull up plants? I don't spray. Keeping it as organic as possible :)

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JoParrott Richland, WA(Zone 7b) Aug 11, 2013

I think that is a very big aphid-probably about to give birth! I see a lot more in the background.

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ilv2grdn Cross Timbers, MO(Zone 6a) Aug 11, 2013

I'm not sure what it is, but it looks like it's soft bodied like an aphid. I make my own organic bug spray. 1 gallon water, bring to boil, add 4 Tbs. cayenne pepper flakes, 1 chopped large onion, 2 tsp. salt. Boil for 10 min. Cool completely. Strain, then add, 6 Tbs. Murphy's oil soap and store in 1 gal. milk jug. Start out by filling a spray bottle 1/2 way with water, other 1/2 with pepper mix, test on small area, wait an hour. If it works, continue on the rest of the bugs. If the plant is sensitive and it looks like it may be too hot for plant, then dilute with water. If the bugs are still there, add a little more pepper mix and spray again. Rain will wash it off. Sometimes you may need to spray several times before all the bugs are gone.

TWO WARNINGS: #1. There are a lot of variables in the sensitivity of plants and the bugs you're trying to get rid of. That's why you need to test on a small area. I had a plant a long time ago (don't remember what) that was infested with aphids. I sprayed the whole plant and later on it was totally wilted. It did finally come out of it. I was lucky i guess?. It might kill a plant, I don't know. But the bugs sure don't like it.
#2. DO NOT get this on your skin!

On some bugs, you don't need any bug spray at all. Just a strong jet of water several times a day will "teach" the bugs that they have a hard time living there, so they'll leave to find easier living arrangements. It really does work, although you don't want to spray delicate plants very hard. You just need to find what works for you, the plants and the bugs you're dealing with.










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tacomagardener Tacoma, WA Aug 11, 2013

Thank you so much..great info!

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