Tomato plant pests

[LaineyLou]

Hi Everyone, only joined tonight and over the last couple of days I’ve noticed little black pests on my 2 tomato plants, black fly!! Will they harm the plant if I leave them be? If I need to get rid of them what is the best way without using chemicals as I have dogs and cats? Thanking you in advance.

[nickdub]

Try washing them off with a jet of water from a hose to start with.

[robbra]

I have lots of blackfly and thunderbugs on all my toms but...they are all dead. I don't know if it is due to eating from the stem or leaves as it's poisonous or the heat from the sun. In all the years I've grown them never seen so many and hardly ever dead.
I've never seen bees and hover flies on my tomato flowers either but they are every day so again it might be the heat.
Rob

[Jungle Jane]

Tomato plants catch blackflys in their hairs,they’re carnivorous plants,the flys become motionless & die,fall to the ground & help fertilise the plants,they’re never a problem I leave them to it.

[robbra]

Thanks for that JJ, didn't know that. I'd better not let my springer get too close to them or they might devour him.
Rob

[Jungle Jane]

If he’s bigger than a black fly then he should be alright