What is the best way to get rid of stink bugs? I hate those things. They’re destroying my fruit trees.
Taylor Munson, Atlanta
The best way of getting rid of stink bugs is to repel them and make your orchard less hospitable to them. While they love to feed on fruit trees, be sure to get rid of weeds where they like to hide. Don’t kill off wasps or yellow jackets if you see them because they are natural predators to stink bugs.
See how to make a stink bug trap that you can leave out overnight:https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-get-rid-of-stink-bugs-simple-home-remedies/If you have a lot of bugs, this won’t be enough to get rid of them all. But it can definitely help if you lay several traps out at a time.
If you want to kill stink bugs without poisoning your plants, try soap. Dish detergent dehydrates the insects. Mix up a solution of a three-quarters cup of soap in a quart of warm water in a spray bottle. Spray this directly on the bugs when you see them.
Neem oil for plants is another natural insecticide that works on stink bugs. Stink bug control with neem oil is simple and only takes a few minutes. Mixing the neem oil with water and dish soap makes it even more effective. Many garden centers sell this product that’s safe to use on edible plants. You can also use diatomaceous earth to kill stink bugs. Place it on the foot of your trees and any place the bugs gather.
Finally, the article I referenced also explains how to use mint leaves, mint oil, garlic, and hot peppers to discourage stink bugs. All of these natural remedies repel these insects as well as other pests like ants or spiders.
Good luck getting rid of the bugs. I hope you can enjoy a healthy harvest in the future.
Joan