Help with bugs in cauliflower

captainjack_2

Hello! I'm a lurker and don't post often lol!

I seem to have a big problem with little black bugs on my cauliflowers. I was completely surprised the cauli's actually grew but now they seem at risk from these little bugs.

Has anyone got any advice.

Thank you
Sue

pookiewn

Are they blackfly? If you mix a little bit of washing up liquid in some water and spray them with this it should kill them all. You will have to do this in a few days again to make sure you kill the newly hatched. If your not squeamish squash them as well!

jeferey

Alternatively they could be pollen beetles - I had a load of these on my sweet peas the other day. They didn't get to my caulis as I have them covered in very fine netting. Give them a blast with your hosepipe but I don't think they will actually do any harm.

captainjack_2

Thanks for the answers. They are not blackfly but are definately the pollen bugs.

I tried squirting with water but they just re-appear as quick as I can shoot them down.

I guess at least they don't do any harm. If I go outside in a light coloured shirt, or peg washing out they get covered too.

Thanks again
Sue

george2000

interesting answers there. I wanted to post something similar. thanks.

captainjack_2

What I have come up with in the end is a piece of bright yellow plastic (bin bag), which I then spread some cooking oil on and placed near the plants, the bugs went straight for this and were then stuck lol!

This morning I have been out there and removed the plastic and put a clean bit down. My cauli's have a lot less bugs on them now.

They may be harmless, but I really didn't fancy eating stuff which had so many bugs on them.

Thanks again for the advice.

Sue