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What are these please?

agoodrumagoodrum Posts: 39
in Fruit & veg
Hi all.  I have these little bugs on my kale plants underneath the leaves.  Any idea what type of bug they are and what damage they may or may not do?
Thanks.

Posts

  • PerkiPerki Posts: 2,527
    They look like mealy bugs or Aphids , they'll weaken the plant . Kind of puts you off eating the plant when you see it covered in bugs . 
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would hose them off with a strong het from the hosepipe. When harvesting give the kale a soak in salty water, then a good rinse. It’ll be fine to eat. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • agoodrumagoodrum Posts: 39
    Cheers for the info.  I normally rinse all leaves in water, but salt water sounds like a better idea.  👍
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Salt water will get the critters to relax their grip and make it easier to rinse them off 👍 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • tui34tui34 Posts: 3,493
    I had and still have the same problem with aphids (thank you to @Dovefromabove for that diagnosis!!).  I squish them off with my fingers, and give them a hose.  I chase white butterflies all day long (they get hosed too)!!  

    We eat the kale (holes and all)  after a good washing, of course.  Next time, I'll try the salty water.
    A good hoeing is worth two waterings.

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