Insecticide For Stink Bugs On Tomatoes

The brown marmorated stink bug first came to the United States in 1998, when they appeared in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They have since spread to 43 other states. As their name suggests, these pests emit foul odors when disturbed (even after death), making them a nuisance. Stink bugs ( shield-shaped, brown and wingless insects with hind legs resembling cones) are the common pests of fruits, vegetables, flowers and ornamentals. They suck the juice out of plants using their piercing-sucking mouthparts. When they feed on the growing onions or garlic, they reduce the yield by making the bulbs small.

Insecticide For Stink Bugs On Tomatoes

Stink bugs are all appetite and will feed from whatever plants are convenient. They prefer the fleshy part of fruits but can adapt to conditions as plants in late season begin to loose moisture. Some types are known to exist in arid climates on woody plants and even cacti, yet prefer commercially raised, irrigated crops that are grown in such regions.

Damage to crops caused by stink bugs is often cosmetic but also leads to early decay and spoilage. In addition to the pin-prick piercing which result in blemishes, the insects also inject a digestive enzyme that causes discoloration as it spreads through the plant’s vascular system. Given the choice, the pests will always choose fruit over foliage, they are opportunist and will feed on what’s available, including seeds and stems.

Damage on cabbage and other leafy crops can be seen in gray and beige blotches. Corn attacked by the pests will have dark spots on stalks and, more likely, deformed ears with missing kernels. Fruit skins will show browning where the bugs have fed and tomatoes show a darkened bruise around the spot where the pest has inserted its proboscis.

How to Control

1. Keep areas around gardens clear of tall grass, brambles, downed limbs and other natural litter to deny a place to over winter.
2. Using good organic practice — soil building, encouraging beneficial microbes and other soil life, maintaining habitat for beneficial organisms including birds; balanced nutrient and moisture management, applications of compost — helps plants resist damage caused by stink bugs.
3. Use sticky traps and tape to detect the presence of pests.
4. When stink bugs are expected, especially as crops approach harvest, use row covers to prevent them from gaining access. Collect any bugs that land on the covers and drown them in a can with water and some soap.
5. A number of naturally occurring predatory insects will destroy Pentatomidae in stages from egg and larvae to adult. Keep areas surrounding the garden free of pesticides to assure these beneficial insects can play a role in your Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program.
6. The parasitic wasp Trissolcus basalis, which inserts its eggs into the pest’s eggs, has been shown to be effective against the Southern green stink bug. California has released the wasps in some tomato growing areas in an effort to reduce pest damage. Studies after the release found that 80% of all target egg masses had been visited by the wasp and that 87% of the eggs in each mass had been impregnated.
7. Other beneficial insects known to predate on Pentatomidae during various stages of the pest’s development include ladybugs, lacewing and the minute pirate bug.
8. Kaolin clay, a harmless mineral, has been shown to suppress pest activity. Sold in a modified form as Surround WP Crop Protectant, it repels the bugs by attaching itself to their bodies, agitating them and causing them to flee. The non-toxic kaolin clay also coats leaves and fruit with a fine film that keeps the pests from feeding. (The film has been shown to actually increase photosynthesis and encourage healthy growth in trees and other plants.) Spray kaolin clay periodically throughout the season in places where stink bugs do heavy damage.
9. Insecticidal soaps and neem oil are also effective against stink bugs, especially early in the season.
10. Finding pests in your home? Fill an aluminum turkey pan, preferably recycled, with an inch or so of water and stir in a little dish detergent. Shine a lamp (like a desk lamp) on the surface and leave it on overnight. The light attracts the bugs who land in the water and are held by the detergent. From there, you know what to do.

Insecticide For Stink Bugs On Tomatoes

Stink bugs are small, shield-shaped bugs that can cause serious damage to plants. They’re not only damaging to plants, but they also can be a danger to people and pets. The best way to deal with them is by using an insecticide.

There are many different types of insecticides available at your local garden center or home improvement store, including sprays and dusts. There are also many natural remedies you can use to get rid of stink bugs on your plants, such as soap or hot pepper spray.

The first step in getting rid of stink bugs is identifying what type of plant they’re infesting so you can choose the right treatment method for your situation. If you have an herb garden, then it’s best to use a natural remedy like soap instead because it won’t harm any other plants in the area like a chemical would do if it got mixed up with something else nearby during application time (like during rainy weather).

List Of Insecticide For Stink Bugs On Tomatoes