Leafminer control and eradication

Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
Ok, so I'm doing a hell of a lot of research and here's what I've found so far. I hope this helps anyone else experiencing problems with leafminers, do know that there are many species that produce leafmining larvae, though. To that end, I'm compiling a list of things that can be used to help control or, hopefully, eradicate leafminers. A friend of mine has given me this short list, but the information I have on all of these is limited.
budhaboy said:
Cinnamite(Cinnamaldehyde) - its a synthetic Cinnamon oil

Garlic Barrier

Wilder's Hot Pepper Wax (spray on and it forms a barrier and helps the plant retain moisture and prolly my favorite choice as it repels the four leged pests as well)

Fruit and Berry Spray(probably the weakest of the grouping)

Ivory flake/water spray.

or anything with Pyrethrin and/or Rotenone in it.


Last ditch effort would be a nicotine spray - buy a couple halfway decent cigars(NO Swisher sweets or any blunt type cigars - they have unneeded crap in them) and cut them open and soak the cigars in a gallon of water. Spray as needed(nicotine is a natural insecticide)
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I'm going to be doing some searching on these products, I'll let y'all know what I find, if anything.
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
Ok, halfway through giving my garden its THIRD neem mix treatment (diluted according to direx), and I've found two more grubs. I have no idea if these grubs are pupated larvae or have anything to do with the damage I've found, but I'll be photographing them and trying to find out what they are. In the meantime... bump.
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
Ok, update. Nicotine spray; 10grams/liter water, soak overnight, strain. This is POISON, be careful with it. It will kill aquatic organisms. I bought a small package of American Spirit organic tobacco, that's 40g, I'll be making a half batch tonight to try to tomorrow. The neem spray is proving to be rather ineffective against whatever is munching the hell out my plants.
 
Seamaiden

Seamaiden

Well-Known Member
Yes, I have removed the affected leaves. However, if one has a bad infestation you can end up easily removing 50% of the leaf cover, and while I'm an advocate of judicious pruning, pulling off half the plant's ability to manufacture food is too much in my opinion. The leafminers appear to be gone, but I do have something eating the leaves up. I've captured two of the grubs/caterpillars and am raising them up in a plastic container to see what they are when they grow up.
 
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