Little critters on my pea leaves

[Potter]

Hi,

This is my first year at veg growing and I've a patch at the end of my garden really starting to bloom. This evening I noticed some sort of leaf miner trailes on my pea leaves. Does anyone know what they actually are? (I couldn't find them on the net) and if so what I can do about them - apart from the squishing I've been doing so far that is? I've been growing organically up til now.

Thanks loads in advance

[Alice]

Hello Potter and welcome to the Vine. Are these critters doing your peas any harm. No garden is critter free but most of them do no (or little) harm. If your garden is not being ravaged, I don't think you need to do anything about them. But see what other Grapes think.

[Potter]

Thanks Alice,

They're not ding damage to the peas so far (as I don't have any yet, just coming in to flower) and only affects a few leaves. I just want to catch problems (if it is one) early. My plot's only tiny and I check everything all the time as I can't wait for it all to happen, so I'm noticing every little mark or blemish!

[Flummery]

Unless I know things are going to damage my crops, I have a live and let live attitude. I'm even happy to tolerate a few aphids for my nestlings. We have a wildlife friendly garden (except slugs and snails!) and there's no point encouraging birds to breed in your garden then depriving them of food. Our tame blackbird follows me around when I'm digging! You ought to see her demolish a slug - yeeukk! I don't think leaf miners will kill off your peas. Know what you mean though. I grow veg in the garden. It's a reasonable sized plot but small enough to examine each plant and have a good worry!

[Potter]

Thanks, I'm trying to do the same in my garden and have very tame blackbirds too (Mr, Mrs and elder son, who I don't think will be allowed to stay when the new babies arrive). I shan't worry then, unless they all start to keel over!