another pepper problem

simpletwist 7/30/2013, 11:25 am

My sweet peppers are getting eaten by something. On almost every pepper of my 6 plants there's been a small hole on the top. The hole is about 1/4 in diameter. Then on the inside there seems to be damage to where the seeds are forming. The insides are discolored dark brown.

Pepper Weevils? Something else? I haven't seen anything. And what can I do to stop from losing my whole crop?

I'll try to take a pic if that will help.

Thanks.

batmap 7/30/2013, 8:53 pm

From your description, could this be what you are talking about?
another pepper problem Duponchelia_fovealis12

Otherwise, umass.edu says corn borers and pepper maggot are the most common pests of pepper fruit.

simpletwist 7/31/2013, 7:41 am

Yes, that looks like the culprit. Now how do I safely eliminate this pest? I found a tomato with a similar hole this morning. I didn't see anything on your link that I could easily and safely use in my garden.

Thanks.

**camprn** 7/31/2013, 10:04 am

simpletwist wrote:Yes, that looks like the culprit. Now how do I safely eliminate this pest? I found a tomato with a similar hole this morning. I didn't see anything on your link that I could easily and safely use in my garden.

Thanks.

Click on the word 'this' on batmap's first sentence. It is an informational link.

TxGramma 7/31/2013, 1:39 pm

According to the link that batmap posted and camprn pointed out to you....BT can be used.

simpletwist 8/1/2013, 2:37 pm

Thanks folks. I'll look for some BT. Crossing my fingers cuz I love peppers.

simpletwist 8/5/2013, 11:04 am

I caught one of the buggers eating a tomato this morning. It isn't pepper moths, its Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs! Does any one know a safe way to eliminate these things?

simpletwist 8/6/2013, 9:38 am

bump.

**camprn** 8/6/2013, 9:55 am

simpletwist wrote:bump.

So what's the verdict, did the Bt help?

TxGramma 8/6/2013, 10:31 am

Well from what I read during my google research is...there isn't one. Most pesticides don't work either. There is a lot of research being done to try to find something that will work on them without much luck so far. So I would say try the BT or insecticidal soap if you want and see if it helps otherwise your only recourse will be to pick them off and kill them one little bugger at a time. Twisted Evil

simpletwist 8/6/2013, 10:56 am

That's what I thought about the stinkin' Stink Bugs. But kill them one by one if I must! Twisted Evil

And no I haven't tried the BT yet cuz I wasn't totally convinced it was the moth. But I'm gonna try that anyway just in case its more than just the Stink Bugs.

Thanks for the help.

**camprn** 8/6/2013, 1:34 pm

Chase them off the plant into a can or jar of soapy water. Hunt for the eggs on the underside of leaves.

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Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs! Any ideas?

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