What is on my tomatoes???!!!!!

[blue fire]

There are these small red bugs on my tomato plants on the bottom of the leaves. I sprayed them pestiside and they were still there!

 

[Beekissed]

Aphids? Can you post a pic?

 

[blue fire]

OK this picture stinks, but I looked at the bugs and it seems they look alot like aphids besides the fact that they are red, so can they be red Aphids? How do I get rid of them they are every where!!

 

[aquarose]

Yeah, aphids can come in different colors. When I used to read Organic Gardening, they always recommended just spraying them with a strong spray from a hose. The water will knock them off and I think they don't live long enough to make the trip back up the plant, or they are not good at travelling, or something like that.

 

[blue fire]

ok thanx I will try that

 

[rockytopsis]

My Dad used to make a spray of Cayenne Pepper and pink dish soap ( he always said get the pink dish soap, it does not matter the brand) and water and spray the plants. I know he only used a drop or two of the soap and liberal amounts of cayenne pepper.

 

[cluckychick]

Sevin Dust

 

[Reinbeau]

Please be sure to identify whatever it is you're trying to get rid of before you use just any old pesticide. As for Sevin dust, I know many love it, I won't use it - it kills honeybees and many other beneficials. If they're spider mites or aphids, a strong stream of water will knock them off without poisoning anything.

 

[ams3651]

This comes from my companion planting book....

Chives planted near tomatoes discourage aphids

Ladybugs are their natural enemy

Corriander has a reputation for repelling them

hope it helps

 

[OaklandCityFarmer]

Yes, pesticides need to be used only when you know the exact problem because mostly they will do more harm than good.

Generally speaking, a good spraying of a pepper mix will ward off most bugs without doing too much harm overall.

I definitely second what Ann has to say about Sevin and highly discourage it. Hand-picking works great for a lot of bugs, as long as there is not a heavy infestation.

Many of the other recommendations that were made work very well.