leaf footed bugs

[shadetree]

There were a bunch of them on one my big tomatoes. I am brewing some coffee right now to mix with some dishwashing liquid and some vegetable oil. But where do they live; in the soil? I suppose I should just keep spraying when I see them?
Also, for reason unknown, one of my creole tomato plants got real unhealthy and is withering and dying. Started out one of the bottom branches got yellow, then it spread to where the whole plant looks bad, yet the fruits seem to be okay.

[shadetree]

Well, in case anyone is interested, the coffee spray mixture killed the leaf footed bugs right off. It does seem to work.

[nut4nature]

That's good to know! Do you have an estimate how parts/ratios you used to mix the spray? I've noticed a few places on a basil that have been eaten on, but I'm not seeing any bugs. So I'm considering taking a proactive approach since they are fairly young plants.

[shadetree]

Originally Posted by nut4nature

That's good to know! Do you have an estimate how parts/ratios you used to mix the spray? I've noticed a few places on a basil that have been eaten on, but I'm not seeing any bugs. So I'm considering taking a proactive approach since they are fairly young plants.

Well, I do know that they work for the leaf footed bugs, from my experience, and was told it will also work for stink bugs. I just brewed some coffee in my little metal drip coffee maker, which is only like 3 cups or so, and then let the black coffee cool. I poured it into an old short Dawn dishwashing liquid squirt bottle that I had on hand (since I don't have a spray bottle), and then just added some Dawn liquid and then poured a little vegetable oil in it. No real measurements. I was told it is the black coffee that the bugs don't like; the other stuff is to ensure that the concoction sticks. A spray bottle is probably preferable, though. However, I don't know if it would be effective on the basil since it is not known what is eating it, but it probably won't hurt it.