Common Swiss Chard Insects - Controlling Pests On Swiss Chard Plants

Common Pests Found on Swiss Chard Bugs that attack Swiss chard, for example, are equal opportunists. Some, such as blister beetles, love the veggie, as do leaf miner larvae. Lygus bugs and their nymphs feed on the leaves and the buds of flowering plants.

How do you get rid of Swiss chard bugs?

If you have pests in your swiss chard, you should use any of the tips below to remove the bugs safely. The first thing to do when you see that you have an infestation on your swiss chard is to prune the plant and remove any damaged leaves. Prune damaged foliage, leaving it there will only make the situation worse.

What causes holes in Swiss chard leaves?

The list includes cabbage loopers, slugs (which also make holes in leaves as they eat), diamond back moths, flea beetles (which make smaller holes), and cabbage worms. Dark wad of frass on damaged leaf.

How do you stop leaf miners on chard?

One of the easiest ways to limit damage from these insects is to protect the plants with a layer of floating row cover. This lightweight translucent fabric is placed over the plant tops and forms a protective barrier over the plants and prevents the adult leafminers from accessing the plants.

How do you get rid of aphids on Swiss chard?

Wipe your chard plant's leaves and stems with your sprayed rag or paper towel. The light trace of soap in the water suffocates and kills the aphids.

What insect is eating my Swiss chard?

Of course, it seems that aphids will eat anything, and Swiss chard is no exception. These small, soft-bodied insects feed on the underside of the leaves in droves, sucking the nutrients from them and leaving them curled and covered with honeydew.

Does Swiss chard like full sun?

Swiss chard prefers rich, well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. In the North, sow from early spring to midsummer for a fall crop; in the South sow in fall to spring. Sow the seeds 1/2 inch deep in rows spaced 18 inches apart.

Can I eat Swiss chard with Cercospora?

Answer: I wouldn't eat the leaves of Swiss chard with Cercospora. Cercospora is a fungus that leaves spots on the leaves of the plant. ... However, spray the healthy leaves with a fungicide with either myclobutanil or azoxystrobin in its ingredients to prevent further infestation.

Do slugs eat chard?

Swiss chard is tempting to slugs, but if the plant is healthy, it will outgrow these battles.

Do ants eat Swiss chard?

Ants love to feed on the honeydew and that is likely what has attracted the ants to the Swiss chard. ... Because the ants want to protect the honeydew food source, they are known to attack the beneficial insects to prevent them have destroying the aphids. So, to get rid of the aphids, you'll need to get rid of the ants.

What is a natural way to get rid of leaf miners?

Leaf Miner Overview

Crushing larval form in their trails is most effective killing method. Alternatives include neem oil, bacillus thurigiensis, and spinosad sprays as well as beneficial insects such as beneficial nematodes and parasitic wasps.

Is it safe to eat leaf miners?

A: There would be no harm in accidentally eating a leaf miner larva from your spinach leaves. ... They are larvae of a fly that lays its eggs on the leaves. The larvae hatch and burrow in. When they mature, they drop to the ground to pupate and then emerge as adult flies.

What bugs eat beets?

Here are some of the most common garden foes you might face:

13 Common Beet Pests. Aphids. ...
Aphids. There are dozens of different species of aphids from the genera Myzus and Aphis that love to munch on beet plants. ...
Beet Cyst Nematodes. ...
Beet Leafhoppers. ...
Beet Webworms. ...
Blister Beetles. ...
Cutworms. ...
European Corn Borers.

Do banana peels keep aphids away?

Natural Pest Repellent

Cut up banana peels to bury 1 to 2 inches deep in the soil around plants that are prone to aphid infestations to repel and remove aphids from the area. ... Orange peels are highly fragrant, giving off a repellent scent to keep ants and aphids away from the garden.

Does vinegar kill aphids?

Get out a spray bottle and fill it 1/3 of the way with distilled white vinegar and the rest of the way with water. This will kill the aphids and larvae on contact. Place a square of aluminum foil around the base of plants affected by aphids.

How do you kill aphids naturally?

HOW TO GET RID OF APHIDS NATURALLY

Remove aphids by hand by spraying water or knocking them into a bucket of soapy water.
Control with natural or organic sprays like a soap-and-water mixture, neem oil, or essential oils.
Employ natural predators like ladybugs, green lacewings, and birds.

Do earwigs eat chard?

Then next came the earwigs, otherwise known as “pincer-bugs”. They were munching their way through our Swiss chard, flat-leaf parsley, and even the beet greens. ... The dilemma is that Earwigs are both beneficial and non-beneficial insects in the garden. They eat bugs as well as some garden vegetables.

Do birds eat Swiss chard?

While goldfinches do eat the leaves of white Swiss chard, they seem to prefer red-stalked varieties. Because they take small bits of leaves, you will see little holes throughout the entire leaf. Why goldfinches eat chard and other greens is not known, but perhaps it is because Swiss chard is high in calcium.

Do squirrels eat Swiss chard?

Squirrels eat a variety of vegetables, and gardeners know this all too well. If a squirrels happens upon any leafy green such as lettuce, chard, kale, spinach, or arugula, they will chow down.

What is a good companion plant for Swiss chard?

Swiss chard – Beans, Brassicas, and onions make the best companions for chard. Thyme – An all around beneficial plant for the garden, thyme is particularly worth planting near Brassicas (as it repels cabbage moths), and strawberries, as it enhances flavour.

How late can you plant Swiss chard?

The best time for Swiss chard fall planting is July 15 through August 15. The exact time will depend on your zone. Areas that expect early freezes should plant earlier and use a hoop house to give the developing plants some shade and keep them from bolting. You may also select a low bolt seed mix.

Can you eat chard raw?

Swiss chard leaves can be eaten raw or cooked. Raw Swiss chard is less bitter than cooked. A bunch of raw Swiss chard will cook to a much smaller amount. ... Sauté, steam or cook the stalks in a pan with water (1/2 cup per bunch) first, then add the leaves and cook until wilted.