Eggplant Bug Prevention

Common Pests of Eggplants

• Unfortunately, eggplant is as delicious to many garden pests as it is to humans. Flea beetles, aphids, spider mites, Colorado potato beetles, whiteflies, armyworms and thrips are just a few of the insects commonly found in gardens that contain eggplant, according to University of Florida horticulturalists Mark A Mossler and O. Norman Nesheim. (see reference 1) These insects can suck juices from plant leaves or chew through leaves, leaving the plant weakened and unable to manufacture the chemicals necessary for good fruit production.
  
  

Cultural Controls of Pests

• Hand picking the adults and visible larva from the plants is an effective way to eliminate some of these pests. When aphids are a problem, a hard spray of water from the garden hose can dislodge them from plants and encourage them to go elsewhere for their food supply.
  
  

Using Natural Enemies

• Many insects can be controlled by the introduction of their natural predators which will help keep the populations down. Lady beetles are natural predators of aphids. Pirate bugs are natural predators of thrips. Purchase these beneficial insects through garden suppliers or agricultural outlets.
  
  

Bacillus Thuringiensis

• Bacillus thuringiensis, or Bt, is a naturally occurring bacteria that produces diseases in insects that can eliminate them from your garden. This bacteria produces proteins that act on the intestinal lining of susceptible insects. It paralyzes the digestive system, causing the bugs to stop eating and starve to death. It can be used to control a number of types of small larvae on eggplant and is very safe to use, according to Ohio State University horticulturalist Ted W. Gastier. It does not kill beneficial insects in the garden. Bacillus thuringiensis is applied in a diluted concentrate form, as a dust or in granular form. It has no harmful effects on humans, wildlife or the environment.
  
  

Chemical Controls

• If insects are still a problem, you can resort to more toxic, chemical methods for control. Some of the most commonly used pesticides for bugs on eggplants are carbaryl, bifenthrin, deltamethrin, malathion, indoxacarb, endosulfan and spinosad. These should only be use according to label directions. Not all of these insecticides are approved for use in all communities, so consult with your local agricultural extension service for the proper pesticide to use in your area.