Our southern peas (blackeyes and purple hulls) are growing well, but they are covered in ants and tiny black bugs that I cannot identify. The black bugs are about the size of aphids but are dark black in color and look more like very tiny beetles. We have sprayed with Garret Juice and citrus oil and also with Garlic Pepper Tea, but neither the black bugs nor the ants seem deterred. Any idea as to what the black bugs are or how to discourage them from eating our peas would be helpful. Thanks.

If they don't respond to the sprays you might try either some horticultural oils or my favorite which is food-grade DE. It will wash off with any rain but a good dousing of DE, I found, really helps.

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Sandi
Texas Certified Nursery Professional
Texas Master Naturalist
Organic gardener
Tree-Hugger
Native Texan

Will DE work for ants too? We have more ants than I have ever seen. They are all over the pea plants, but I cannot find a central mound anywhere. Are there any beneficial insects that will eat ants? I have some ladybugs and praying mantises on the way.

DE will work on any soft-bodied insect. More than likey the ants are there because of aphids or another insect that secretes a sticky sweet sunbstance that the ants like. I may be wrong, but the ants probably aren't doing any harm to the plants...but the DE should deter them.

_________________
Sandi
Texas Certified Nursery Professional
Texas Master Naturalist
Organic gardener
Tree-Hugger
Native Texan