Tiny leach/slug type things on leaves

Hi folks,

As the title says, I've got these tiny things that look like little sluggy leaches in the garden. They're not on my rose leaves (yet), but they're eating the leaves on my baby quince. THE patches they've eaten have gone brown. It's too windy to get a pic today, but I will try tomorrow.

Does anyone know what they might be? And what I should do about them?

Sounds like pear/cherry slugs. They won't affect the roses.
On a larger tree I wouldn't worry about them, for a baby tree you might want to look at a homemade spray. (Sorry, can't remember which ones although a basic soapy one might work).

Thanks Wendy, that's definitely what they are.

Apparently they're the larvae of the sawfly. I looked up organic control for them - the internet suggests that I get some bantam chickens to eat the pupae whilst they over-winter underground around the tree! I've just been dying to get some ducks or chooks! And now the internet is telling me I have to do it! My poor husband. Haha.

Zoe as they are a "chewing " pest, I think you could use a natural product named 'Dipel'

Hahaha Zoe. Go for it.

Thanks guys

Zoe I have noticed them on my plum tree again this year. As I don't like spraying, I just squish them (wearing gloves). I systematically work my way around the tree, over a few days. I have found this works well and pretty much gets rid of them for the year.

Oh good plan. But surely I will still need bantams? Hehehe.

Zoe, get the 'chooks' good fresh eggs, but have a look at this,
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The Gardening Australia fact sheet says chickens allowed to roam under the tree in winter is an effective control. So get those bantams Zoe, and then in summer to can squish any you see on the tree. Problem solved. LOL

Yes! Hahaha. I love this plan

Welcome back young lady, have we got the bantams yet ? Do you have any problems with foxes Zoe ? The other thing you could work on is a daylight run under the trees with some chicken wire so they stay and do thier job

No, no bantams yet. I've been busy with Christmas! Now that's over (almost) I can start thinking about it properly

Yes, we do have foxes, owls, various eagles and hawks I think, as well as neighbourhood cats and dogs. Nothing really comes into our garden because we have dogs too, but they might be tempted if we had some tasty chickens for them to eat!

Also our entire property is fenced with post and wire (mesh is 100x100) which keeps the dogs in fine but wouldn't do much to keep the banties in. So a lot of work has to happen before chooks come along, I'm afraid.