Is there an environmentally friendly way to treat Tomato potato psyllid?
Can you tell me the best ways to control the Tomato potato psyllid (TPP) - Bactericera cockerelli. I first found them on my tomatoes about three seasons ago and I would like to know the best environmentally friendly way to control them or failing that other pesticides that may be effective against them.
The sap-sucking insect, tomato, potato psyllid, is a significant garden pest that can cause extensive damage to tomatoes, potatoes, capsicums, kumara and tamarillos – and they breed year-round.
They are similar in size to aphids but look more like black miniature cicadas with two distinctive white stripes.
Regularly check your tomato plants, especially when they are young, for the first signs of psyllids. Look out for symptoms such as stunted growth, curling or yellowing leaves and what looks like sugar granules on the plant or ground. If spotted, spray thoroughly with neem oil, making sure you get good coverage all over the plant. Continue weekly applications until there are no further signs of the pest.
To prevent or limit infections in the coming years, it's essential to practice good garden hygiene. Do this by removing all weeds or debris that can provide a breeding ground for the psyllids and where they may overwinter.
Rotate your tomato crops to grow in different parts of the vegetable garden. When planting next season, sprinkle some neem granules around your tomato plants.
To keep plants in optimum health, feed them with Daltons Garden Time™ Tomato Fertiliser throughout the growing season.
