skip to main content

Growing Tomatoes

How do I protect tomatos from stink bugs?

13 years ago

My tomatos always do great, but almost all loook terible from stinkbug/squash bug damage. Any ideas how I can protect them? No, picking by hand is not an option. There are just too many of them. Any suggestions are appreciated.

Here's a picture of one of my parks whoopers with the damage:

{{gwi:76232}}

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (9)

anney
13 years ago
I've never found a way to kill stink bugs other than by hand, though several sites recommended chemical insecticides. But the one below suggests products made with kaolin clay. It doesn't kill them but is a damage preventative. The stink bugs can't feed on the fruits sprayed with it or lay their eggs there.

"Surround" is such a clay-based product often used by organic gardeners because you can wash it right off the plants and vegetables whenever you harvest them.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stink Bug Control
digdirt2
13 years ago
Agree - dusting with kaolin clay is the best thing I have found.

Dave
Related Discussions
How was your Stink Bug Damage this year...
Q
Comments (1)
Not to rain on the party but I had zilch problems here. Others likely had some bad experiences though.
...See More
Spined Soldier Bugs and Brown Stink Bugs
Q
Comments (7)
Matt, Stink bugs are not known to have many natural predators, which is one reason they are so hard to control. There are some species of stink bugs that are herbivores and eat plants early on, and then turn into carnivores and eat....guess what.....other stink bugs! Other than that, some species of lizards and some bugs eat them sometimes, but their 'stinkiness' gives them protection from most other predators. I don't know that the frogs or snakes ever reach the stink bugs. Our frogs tend to be hanging out around the back yard where we have a lily pond, quite a bit of shade, and 30 tomato plants in containers. The big garden is quite some distance from that and most of it is in sun until mid- to late afternoon. There's usually not many frogs in our hot, dry, sunny garden although we have a resident turtle and, every now and then, a toad and some lizards. The snakes are an issue in and of themselves since we mostly have timber rattlers and copperheads (that's what I've been seeing this week), water moccasins in our ponds and creeks (thankfully they are not in the garden) and an occasional western diamondback rattler. Oh, and rat snakes and chicken snakes that like to get in the chicken coop and eat eggs and chicks. While snakes might be helpful in the garden, I don't want them there. I hate snakes. In my garden, the stink bugs are usually on plants anywhere from waist-high to head high, so while a snake might be able to reach them, the toads and frogs and turtles couldn't. At least here (as far as I know), the stink bugs are primarily garden and agricultural pests. In parts of the country where the winters are colder, they invade homes in the fall, undoubtedly looking for a warm place to overwinter. It is my understanding that stinkbugs inside the house are hard to control, and it is hard to keep them out, because they've been known to come down the chimneys! If I had to make my best guess, I'd give our one-day 11.87" rainfall credit for the lower numbers of stinkbugs and squash bugs (so far) this year. I'd bet that relentless rainfall washed away the overwintering ones that weren't up and about yet. We also have been having greatly reduced numbers of grasshoppers, probably for the same reason. Unfortunately, grasshoppers tend to accompany hot, drought-like weather, so we all may have trouble with them later ths summer. I am seeing a lot of tiny hoppers (1/4" to 1/2") just these last couple of days, so clearly another hatch is on. Here at our house, the guineas and chickens control them pretty well though. Dawn
...See More
How I defeated Green Stink Bugs. I hope....
Q
Comments (5)
I was absolutely infested w/ green stink bugs and only Sevin worked for me. I tried dishsoap and Safer Insecticide (obviously spraying different days, not mixed together) and they swam through it as if it were a wonderful after-shave lotion. It would only stun the babies and never affected bugs who had developed to the later stages. One spray with recommended dosage of Sevin and all are in stink bug heaven now. Being no fan of harsh insecticides, Sevin is good in that, according to the label, it never penetrates the fruit and easily washes off and they say it can be used up to day of harvest. It's been 2 weeks now without another stinkbug reappearance. good luck
...See More
What attracts stink bugs (besides my tomatoes)?
Q
Comments (12)
Thanks guys. I don't use any pesticides except for occasional BT on corn earworms. Not even soap sprays anymore, because I don't want to kill off what beneficials there are. I doubt it's distressed plants because I super-amended the soil last Fall, and the tomato bed looks like a jungle out there that is chock full of fruit. I haven't seen many yet, but I know that where there are two, there are many more, lol. I do have lots of sunflowers, no soybean or millet, though. What I was wondering is if there is an attractant that I can put in the tomato areas, either some scent that attracts them or a color (perhaps a red Christmas ball with tanglefoot on it). I remember a thread last year about cuke beetles being attracted to something in clove oil, and making traps to lure them and kill them in soapy water. It would be wonderful if there were something like that which would work on stinkbugs. I have managed to keep the squash bugs to a minimum, but their eggs area easy to spot, and they will climb up to the top if you water overhead and can easily be hand-picked. Tomatoes are so thick that it is impossible to see many of them at a time for picking (or vacuuming them as I prefer). You guys just keep throwing ideas at me, and I'll see if I can come up with a better method. Mrs H
...See More
greenthumbnick
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for the info guys. Any idea where I can buy kaolin powder? What bend name is usually under? Does lowes home depot sell it?
helenh
13 years ago
Surround is a brand name. I am still finding stinkbugs on the ones sprayed with it, but I don't know yet if the damage is less. I got mine at Gardens Alive on a free shipping deal. It is a heavy product and shipping cost will kill you if you don't get a deal. I can catch the buggers at night with a flashlight, but they get away from me in day light.
roper2008
13 years ago
I have a spray bottle with water. When I see them I mist the bug
really good, so they don't fly as well. I have a jar with water and
and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. I get the jar right up
to the bug and force them in with a stick. I catch a lot that way.
helenh
13 years ago
I do think it is reducing the damage, but I am still catching stinkbugs. Gardens Alive is having a sale now. Shipping is about $10 for 10 pounds. That is not as bad as I thought. The product itself isn't cheap, but I am not finding much for stinkbugs. I should ask my local garden center if they can get some for me cheaper. I don't want to use strong poisons. I wish they would sell a trap. I have read they like yellow and I am sure there must be a pheromone available for such a stinky bug.
dogwind
12 years ago
I have good luck with garlic pepper tea. It has a strong odor that the stink bugs don't like, so it keeps them away.
taz6122
12 years ago
I pick and squish but if you're squeamish a vacuum with the corner attachment should work.
sckitchen_gardener_8
12 years ago
I like your idea dogwind. That is fighting fire with fire. Give the stinkbug some offensive stink.

I bought and have been using the Bugzooka. You can find it with a google search. I am not associated with the product in any way.

The bugzooka can get in nooks and crannies better than I can, plus it has a longer reach. I can drive the bug with a stick and then "zook" them. The advantage is you do not have to set off their stink bombs that way. Plus, I have a tendency to lose patience and knock off some tomatoes or break a stem during the chase. I seem to be less damaging with the bugzooka.

I don't know how long the bugzooka will last. I have managed to pull in 2 adults at a time, plus a bunch of the nymphs.

There are still eggs out there, so I keep patrolling for them and removing them.

Related Stories

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Bid Bad Garden Bugs Goodbye and Usher In the Good

By Matt Kilburn

Give ants their marching orders and send mosquitoes moseying, while creating a garden that draws pollinators and helpful eaters

ENTRYWAYS Glass Doors That Welcome — and Protect Your Privacy Too

These front-door designs let in the light but keep your air-guitar performances safely in-house

REMODELING GUIDES How to Protect (Even Enhance!) Your Relationship While Renovating

By creative jewish mom.com

No home improvement project is worth a broken heart. Keep your togetherness during a remodel with this wise advice

GARDENING GUIDES Sand Wasps Keep True Bugs in Check and Help Pollinate Summer Flowers

By Pollination Press LLC

Look for these solitary wasps nesting in sandy sites and foraging on flowers in July and August

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Porch Life: Banish the Bugs

By Becky Harris

Don't let insects be the bane of your sweet tea and swing time. These screening and product ideas will help keep bugs at bay on the porch

FEEL-GOOD HOME 12 Very Useful Things I've Learned From Designers

By Becky Harris

These simple ideas can make life at home more efficient and enjoyable

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Breezy and Bug-Free Modern Porches

Screening keeps pests out of these diverse porches across the U.S., while thoughtful designs keep them visually appealing

EARTH DAY How to Help Your Town’s Beneficial Birds and Bugs

By Annie Thornton

Make a habitat using local materials to provide a home to the creatures that help our gardens

EVENTS Enjoy Plantings, Eat Bugs and Learn at the Australian Garden Show

By Tiffany Carboni

Indulge your senses at this four-day celebration of gardening, food and more in Sydney — and don't forget to try the crickets

FARM YOUR YARD Advice on Canyon Farming From L.A.'s Vegetable Whisperer

By Annie Thornton

See how a screened garden house and raised beds help an edible garden in a Los Angeles canyon thrive

Sponsored

More Discussions

Has anyone heard of a storage tomato? Looking at Giallorosso di Crispi

4

"Purple" tomatoes?

4