holes

[mrgrower]

Hi I have an ongoing problem I hope you guys can help me with?

Last year and again this year my plants are being attacked by something in the polytunell and to a lesser extent outside.

last year it was my sweet bell peppers that had very small holes in them and now I have some broad beans in there and the leafs have little holes chewed in them.

Also just outside the polytunnel I have some comfrey coming up and that has all small holes in it's leafs now also?

The only thing I have noticed in the polytunnel and outside are small black spiders which are very fast and appear to also jump but surely it wont be these chewing hols in them will it? The spiders are out in the day but the holes seem to be being made at night but I know it's not slugs even though one or to have been attacked by them.

I could do with some guidance

Thanks Mr G

[Jungle Jane]

Little holes could be flea beetle,I had it on my rocket last year.

[mrgrower]

I was thinking that but wasn't sure are there any ways I can get rid of them if it is?

[mrgrower]

BTW the spiders that jump are spiders not flea beetles however I have not seen anything that looks like a beetle in the polly.

[Nicos]

I wouldn't try and get rid of the spiders unless you are 100% sure it's them causing the damage...they will keep down other preditors.
As far as I am aware there are no vegetarian spiders in the UK.
Have you considered it to be a fungal problem?
You can get leaf shot in beans, peppers, tomatoes.
Just a thought

[Jungle Jane]

Are you sure they're spiders,I didn't think spiders ate plants. Flea beetles are the size of half a pin head. It sounds like them? I planted radish as a trap crop for them last year,the radish was ruined,rocket not so bad. You could wave yellow sticky traps over the plants? You might find some on nearby yellow flowers too like I did?

[veggiechicken]

Advice on flea beetles.
BBC - Gardening - Advice: Pest and disease identifier

[Alison]

Can you post photos of the damage as that will help diagnose.

[bobbin]

Isn't it too early for flea beetle? I know they remain in he soil and repeat their life cycle.. However Manchester in April seems way too chilly to have them already. I've never seem them attack broad beans either. I'd have thought too tough a leaf for them. Spiders.?...........nahh

[bobbin]

Oops meant to add to my previous post that slugs..the small black ones, very likely culprit. Time of year and happening at night all points to it.