Holes in small capsicum

[Lois]

What is putting holes in my capsicum. The capsicums can be 10 cent size or small tea cup and there will be a hole. When broken open there are little black eggs. There are also holes in the leaves. I have looked for grubs, caterpillars none visible.

 

[DarrenP]

Are you sure they are eggs, and not black seeds? The reason I ask is what you describe sounds like blossom end rot.

 

[Lois]

No the holes can be anywhere on the vegetable and the seeds are where they should be. Then there will be a little bunch of small black eggs ( they squash when I put them on the cement and used the side of hand fork.

 

[ClissAT]

What about snails?
The female snail comes along, gnaws a hole in the fruit from outside, lays eggs inside the fruit & leaves no other trace.

 

[DarrenP]

Can't help you with bugs, Lois, sorry. The only bugs I've found in our veggie patch are cabbage moth caterpillars. And ants, they managed to get into any tomato that touched the ground.

 

[Lois]

Snails well well. I put bicarbnate of soda in water all over the plants. I hope they move out. If there all gone tomorrow I'll know it was the wrong way to go.
Thanks ClissAT

Regards Lois Langley

 

[OskarDoLittle]

Any results Lois?

 

[Lois]

The new leaves are coming on okay and at last I have a capsicum without holes in. I think snails mustn't like bicarb. Yeh

 

[ClissAT]

Look like a goog result Lois.
Whod'v thunk it....bi-carb for snail!
Yet another home use for that seemingly indestructible product.

 

[DarrenP]

It's also good for testing soil PH.

 

[ClissAT]

Is that what the white 'reactive agent' is, Darren?

 

[DarrenP]

Do you mean in a purchased kit, ClissAT?
I found how to do it yourself on a website: https://preparednessmama.com/testing-your-soil-ph-without-a-kit/

 

[ClissAT]

Yes Darren I meant what is that white powder in the purchased pH kits. Is it bi-carb.
But then having read the 2 kitchen tests in the link you provided, I realised the white powder in the soil test kits would not be bi-carb.

That's a great site you linked to Darren. So good I subscribed.

 

[Lois]

Well, I thought I had the snails beat. It worked for 2 weeks but snails or whatever are back. Had a lovely capsicum about 1 1/2 inches found a hole in it last night. Oh well looks like I will have to dose regularly.

 

[DarrenP]

As well as the bicarb, try beer in a saucer, or jar lid. Good for catching snails too.

 

[ClissAT]

Just watch out with the bi-carb as it will change the pH of the soil if you apply it regularly, Lois.

I think Darren has good advice making traps for the blighters.

I would like to see a closeup photo (if possible) of the 'black eggs' that you are finding in the fruit.
It could be that these 'eggs' are something entirely different.

 

[Lois]

Good advice ClissAt, I haven't got any capsicums on bush at the moment. I will have to buy some beer. We don't drink it. Thanks for the advice. I will watch the Ph.
Regards Lois Langley