Leaf miners
Pest Tiny maggots that tunnel between the surfaces of leaves.
What to look for
Winding pale tunnels or brown blisters in leaves of beetroot, chard, spinach, celery, parsley and alliums. Small maggots or pupae are visible inside the blotches.
When: April to September.
How to prevent it
- Cover young plants with fine mesh from early spring.
- Check regularly and remove the first damaged leaves.
- Rotate crops.
How to deal with it
- Squash the maggot by pinching the blister, or cut off the leaf and bin it.
- The plant usually carries on growing, so pick off damaged leaves and eat the rest.
Crops it affects
If you choose to use any treatment, use only products approved for UK home gardens, follow the label and avoid spraying open flowers. See all pests and diseases.