How to stop pests eating okra leaves?

[suni]

Hi , 

my okra plants leaves getting holes seems bugs eating leaves , what to do in case if any one knows would be great help, since its started flowering n fruits leaves getting holes , i water them on alternate days and once a month fertilizer , looking for replies to get more info about this 

Thanks

 

 

 

[EricL]

Hello @suni 

Your okra plants are otherwise looking healthy and productive, so the holes in the leaves are most likely caused by common chewing pests rather than a disease. From the pattern of damage in your photos, the most likely culprits are caterpillars, flea beetles, or small grasshoppers, all of which are very active once plants start flowering and setting fruit. These pests tend to feed more aggressively in warm weather and usually target softer, newer leaves first.

The first thing I recommend is checking the plants early in the morning or just before sunset, as this is when caterpillars and beetles are easiest to spot. Look under the leaves and along the stems, as caterpillars often hide during the day. If you see any, hand removal is very effective and avoids stressing the plant during flowering.

For treatment, a gentle but effective option available at Bunnings is OCP 40g Eco-Caterpillar-Killer. This is ideal for okra because it targets caterpillars specifically without harming bees or beneficial insects, which is especially important now that your plants are flowering. Apply it in the late afternoon so it stays on the leaves longer and repeat as directed after rain or heavy watering.

If the damage continues or you suspect beetles as well, Yates Nature’s Way Vegie & Herb Spray (special order) is another good choice. It helps control a broader range of pests while still being suitable for edible plants. Make sure to spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves, as insects often feed and hide underneath.

Watering and feeding sound mostly fine, but during flowering and fruiting, okra prefers consistent moisture rather than soil that dries out too much between waterings. Deep watering every two to three days, combined with a layer of mulch such as sugar cane mulch from Bunnings, will reduce plant stress and help the leaves recover more quickly from pest damage. Monthly feeding is adequate, and switching to a liquid fertiliser designed for fruiting plants, such as PowerFeed All Purpose Liquid Fertiliser, at a light rate can help support ongoing pod production without forcing excessive leaf growth.

Please remember to wear personal protection such as gloves, goggles and a mask.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[suni]

Thanks for all your suggestions, Can i use white oil home made or neem oil to protect them from pests n insects/bugs ?  sometimes these strong pesticides kill the plants too. Last month i have put layer of mulch to my garden but when storms came all the mulch blown away, my soil stays dry and hard , i always loosening the soil when its wet but after one day it becomes hard again , i use soil wetter every 2 month, but stills soil has no moisture,  During the time of seedling i use cow manure, cocopeat  and garden soil and liquid fertilizer when it starts flowering but i don't get enough yield. I always struggle with garden during summers due to high heat. Hope they grow much this season 

[JacobZ]

Hi @suni,

What you are describing sounds like soil that has very low organic matter and poor structure, so it dries out fast and then sets hard. Loosening it when wet helps in the short term, but without more organic material, the soil just collapses again as it dries. Instead of frequent disturbance, focus on building the soil up with things like compost, manure and cocopeat mixed through the top layer, then protect it with mulch so it can recover.

To stop mulch blowing away, try using chunkier mulch like pine bark mulch and water it in well after applying. You can also lay it a bit thicker, around 7 to 10 cm, which helps it lock together. Adding compost under the mulch and keeping the soil covered will dramatically improve moisture retention and reduce heat stress in summer. Soil wetters work best alongside organic matter, so think of them as a helper rather than the main fix.

Additionally, adding beneficial insects like earthworms is worth considering. As they move through the soil, they create natural channels that improve drainage when it is wet and help water soak in more evenly when it is dry. Their castings are rich in nutrients and beneficial microbes, which help feed plants in a slow, natural way and improve soil structure. In soils that tend to set hard, earthworms help bind particles into a more crumbly texture, making it easier for roots to grow and for air and moisture to move through the bed.

You might like to have a read through @mich1972's guide on How to improve sandy soil as the process for your garden bed would be very similar. How to determine soil health would also be worth a read.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob