Little white bugs on my pepper plant?

[Luv to Cook]

Hi Guys,

More gardening problems...I found little white bugs on my pepper plants. What are they? Do I need to get rid of them...they look so nasty!

TIA!
Anita

[SusanT]

Describe the insect - do they have wings or not? Where are they located on the plant - stem, new growth or on the peppers themselves?

[Luv to Cook]

Susan,

I don't think they have wings. They are real tiny, maybe 2 -3 mm in length. They are completely white...hard to see until I got up real close. They seem to be near the top of the plant where the new leaves are coming in. There are no peppers yet.

Thanks for your help.
Anita

[chefbec]

I don't know much about growing peppers, but I get little white bugs every year on my vines and hastas (on the flowers) and it's aphids. They just stick to them and devour them. We use a spray to kill them, but it's a poisonous spray. I don't know what you'd use for edibles. So, they could be aphids.

[SusanT]

It may be aphids which usually like new growth, but they're usually a litte yellowish in color. Try the link below from the National Gardening Association. They have pictures of various pests (and good insects) along with the control methods.
http://www.nationalgardening.com/special/bugmugs.taf

Good luck with your peppers!

[Gail]

Based upon my extremely limited knowledge of houseplants, I'm thinking if they fly they're aphids, if the seem completely stationary (and sticky, like tiny flecks of cotton) they could be mealybugs. Dunno if mealybugs like pepper plants, though..

[Luv to Cook]

Thanks for your help everyone...great website Susan! I think they may be aphids. I am gonna check again. Apparently, a strong stream of water is enough to reduce the number of them. I will let you know, in case any of you gets this problem!

Anita

[Julie O]

You can also use insecticidal soap to get rid of them.

[SandyM]

Ladybugs love aphids! And believe it or not, you can usually buy ladybugs.

[julia]

Lady bugs are in the garden centres now. I just bought a bag this week. Release them slowly though over a two week period (keep them in the fridge) because if you release all of them, they'll take off if there are not enough aphids in your garden to keep them satisfied.

They're cute little guys - although my friend's kids think I'm nuts to keep them in the fridge.

[This message has been edited by julia (edited 06-17-2001).]

[Lee]

Anita,

We get aphids every year in our garden. A good spray of water works wonders. You'll have to repeat several times, but it will work. Good luck.

[chefbec]

I tried the ladybugs years ago and they didn't work. But if you try that, release them in the evening or they'll all fly away.

[SusanT]

Luv to cook -

I usually hand pick aphids off (it's gross but works quickly). Another thing some people swear by is a hot pepper spray. The capsaisin (sp?) in the peppers bursts the soft bodies of the aphids. Also, I've heard that a spray with a little bit of dishwashing liquid also works.