Stink bugs are greyish-brownish bugs with triangular shields that love to feed on all kinds of plants, including trees, shrubs, weeds, and even crops. Because of this, they are known to damage many vegetable and flower gardens in your yard. Below, we talk about a few facts you need to know about the pest and how to get rid of stink bugs in your garden.
What You Need To Know About Stink Bugs
In learning how to get rid of stink bugs in your garden, it is best to get to know a little more about these creepy crawlies. With this information, you can better eradicate them from your property for good.
They Don’t Bite
The first thing we want to get out of the way is that stink bugs do not bite. They may have needle-like mouths that are tucked in between their legs, but they only use them to pierce fruits, plants, and at times, some other insects. While they are not capable of biting or stinging humans, they do irritate the skin.
They Have Multiple (Bad) Scents
They carry that name for good reason. Stink bugs have a foul odor that they release well threatened or crushed. It’s their defense mechanism and is quite effective since this quality leaves them with very few natural predators. Additionally, they have a different foul odor to signify their safe space in which they hibernate during colder climates.
They Do Not Breed Inside Your Home
Stink bugs breed up to 4 times annually but only on trees or other types of plants. They do not breed indoors, nor do they cause physical damage to your home. They can lay between 20 and 30 eggs at a time on plants and only during warmer climates. Since they are very susceptible to the cold, they may hibernate inside your home in the winter as it provides better shelter, but they are not known to reproduce or feed at this time.
How To Get Rid of Stink Bugs In Your Garden
To prevent the release of their foul odor, be sure not to crush stink bugs when gathering them out of your garden. The best you can do is hand pick them (preferably with gloves if the thought of touching bugs make your queasy. Once you’ve gathered them, drown them in soapy water. What may seem cruel actually works as quickly as it does efficiently, so they do not suffer too long. This not only prevents the release of their chemicals but can also quickly disrupt their infestation.
Another method of controlling a stink bug infestation is by spraying your plants with soapy water. When they come into contact with the substance, their exoskeleton stops functioning, also causing them to drown fast.
Lastly, keep them out of your garden by regularly mowing your lawn, removing weeds, and clearing your lawn of debris.
Conclusion
While they are non-aggressive pests, it still helps to know how to get rid of stink bugs in your garden in order to protect your plants and crops. For professional pest control services, contact us at Allen Pest Management today!
