How to Get Rid of Tiny Black Bugs on My Plants

Anytime you have a garden or plants you care for, it can be a real nuisance to find tiny black bugs hanging around.

Tiny black bugs can be anything from thrips to spider mites or black aphids, and they can all damage your plants and even kill them. So, how do you eliminate tiny black bugs on your plants?

There are several ways, and it requires some basic knowledge of these bugs and how to identify them. Being proactive is also important so you can try to prevent these pesky insects from getting to your plants in the first place.

 In this article, I will help you to identify these tiny black bugs so you can defeat them. 

Identifying Tiny Black Bugs

Identifying tiny black bugs is vital to saving your plants. You’ll notice that little black bugs lurk under leaves or swarm around your plants but some you can hardly see. Some live in the soil, and some look like minuscule specks of dust.

Let’s look at some of these tiny black bugs that wreak havoc and how you can eliminate them.

Black Aphids

Black aphids feed off of the sap of several plants. You can usually spot large numbers of them on the bellies of your leaves.

They will appear as clusters of specks that almost look like giant pieces of pepper. They tend to hang out around the leaf stem or the veiny parts of the leaves.

You may also notice them in your greenhouse on your tomato plants or other crops. You may hear black aphids referred to as plant lice or blackflies.

These tiny bugs are so small that their features can not be seen without a magnifying glass. They have a pear-shaped body, two antennae, and six legs and measure only 3mm long.

The best way to identify black aphids is by the damage they cause to your plants. Because they suck the sap out of the leaves, the leaves become curled and their growth stunted.

What is worse is that the black aphid excretes a sticky, sweet fluid called honeydew that attracts ants. Because the ants use this fluid for food, they tend to protect the aphids from other predators.

The honeydew also causes black fungal growth, which you will notice as a black soot-like substance on the leaves. While this fungal will not kill the plants directly, it will interfere with their growth cycle.

Ways to Get Rid of Black Aphids

There are several ways to eliminate black aphids and stop an infestation. Check out these ways to stop them from taking over your beloved plants.

• Vinegar
• Dish Detergent
• Garden Hose
• Insecticide

Distilled White Vinegar

You can use a solution of white vinegar with a ratio of one to three, with water. Mix these in a spray bottle and spritz equally over the leaves of your plants, focusing on the underside of the leaves where the aphids like to hideout.

Continue spraying the plant’s leaves, stems, buds, and flowers until you soak the aphids to death.

Liquid Dish Detergent

A solution of liquid dish detergent and distilled water using one tablespoon of soap to one quart of water. Apply with a spray bottle to the stems, leaves, flowers, or anywhere else you see aphids.

Good Old Garden Hose

If you aren’t privy to using chemicals, you can use an old-fashioned garden hose to blast aphids off your plants. This is a good tool for a small number of aphids but not for an infestation.

After the aphids and sap have been removed, the aphids may be less likely to return.

Insecticide

If you are okay with using a commercial insecticide, be sure to follow the directions carefully. You can spray the plant and any aphids you see and may need to repeat the application.

Fungus Gnats

Fungus Gnats are also called soil gnats and can easily infest plant soil. These tiny bugs look very much like drain flies, measuring between 2-8mm. You’ll notice them in your soil and swarming around.

They will lay their eggs in the soil, and the tiny flies will emerge once they mature. The more moisture in your soil, the more eggs will hatch. They are often the result of overwatered plants.

Once hatched, the fungus gnats can swarm the plants in droves. If there are large numbers of larvae, more plant damage can occur. They feed on the roots and cause stunted growth. Thankfully, adult fungus gnats are rare and don’t feed off of plant tissue.

How to Get Rid of Fungus Gnats

Fungus Gnats can be quite a pain, but thankfully there are plenty of ways to get rid of them.

• Apple cider vinegar
• Sticky traps
• Insect spray

Apple Cider Vinegar

By using apple cider vinegar, you can easily defeat these pests. Fill a shallow dish with ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar and a few drops of liquid dish soap and put plastic wrap over it.

Poke a few holes big enough for the fungus gnats to fit through the plastic. Because they are attracted to the vinegar, they will fall into the container and drown in the soap solution.

Sticky Traps

Sticky paper and fly paper are other options to catch fungus gnats. The pieces of tape can be placed on wooden stakes and inserted into the affected soil where the gnats gather.

Insect Spray

If you want things to go quicker than fly paper, you can spray them with any flying bug killer. Some spray killers are natural, contain essential oils, and are fairly safe to use around your plants.

Flea Beetles

Flea beetles are another type of tiny black bag you may find on your plants; only these guys can jump and fly.

You can identify them by their oval and black body with a metallic-like shine. Some may have yellow stripes. They measure about 2.5mm long and will jump when disturbed.

Flea beetles will often attack your plants and vegetable alike. They will chew holes in the leaves of your plants, especially cruciferous vegetables.

You’ll notice holes in the leaves, or they may be devoured completely. They are also often found on tomato plants and flowering plants.

Damage from the flea beetle is usually seen on younger plants as they emerge out of the soil and begin feeding. The larvae are small and cream-colored, and when in the soil, they feed off the roots of the plant.

How to Get Rid of Flea Beetles

While the flea beetle can damage your plants, there are ways to combat them.

• Alcohol spray
• Sticky traps
• Talcum powder
• Insecticides

Alcohol Spray

Add two cups of isopropyl alcohol, five cups of water, and one tablespoon of liquid dish soap. Let it sit overnight, and then spray on the entire plant and any others you think are susceptible to being infested.

Sticky Traps

Sticky traps can be placed near your plants to capture the flea beetles when they jump about.

Talcum Powder

Often just dusting leaves with talcum powder can help to repel the beetles from gathering on your potato, tomato, and pepper plants.

Insecticides

As long as they are used early in the growing season, insecticides can be used to take care of flea beetles. Contacting your local nursery will ensure you are using the right product.

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