Spittle bugs

[Anna]

I have spittle bugs at the base of most of my strawberries. What is safe to use? I have sprayed with a sharp stream of water and washed some off, but the next day they are back or more are there. I don't want to kill the strawberry plants. They are just starting to ripen. I have them planted in raised beds and this is the second year in the ground. Thanks Anna

[LJ]

This article just came today in a monthly email from Oregon State University.

[Anna]

Thanks, I had heard that soap could be used, but didn't know what kind or how much to add to the water. Anna

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[Katra]

I get spittle bugs on my dittany... I just ignore them because they've never caused any damage to these plants. I just spray them off with the hose when I hand water.

I don't know much about them, are they damaging the plants at all?

[Anna]

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| | I get spittle bugs on my dittany... | I just ignore them because they've never caused any damage to these | plants. I just spray them off with the hose when I hand water. | | I don't know much about them, are they damaging the plants at all? | -- | K. | | Sprout the MungBean to reply | | "I don't like to commit myself about heaven and hell | see, I have friends in both places." --Mark Twain

[Anna]

Thanks, I'll give them the dish soap treatment then. I just didn't want to kill them. Anna

[GA Pinhead]

Anna:

I have a lot this year on the pepper stems. They do suck juices and will introduce fungus problems. I just smash them with dirt clods, but any liquid dish detergent, a good squeeze per gallon, put it in a sprayer and put it on stream. It will knock them off and coat them so they die. I use Dr Bronners peppermint personally, you have to read a LOT of the label to get to that part...

Pyrethrins work too.

John!

Anna wrote:

[David]

Ah, I love reading the Dr. Bronner's labels. What fun!

[GA Pinhead]

It is all on their website, the whole history and everything. Great soap anyway...

John!

David wrote: