Andre CampbellWhile Harlequin bugs are bright and beautiful in color, do not be mistaken.
These hard-shelled bugs can cause damage to vegetables, such as cabbage, cauliflower, and beets, as well as fruit trees, among others.
Harlequin bugs (Murgantia histrionica) are pests in the southeastern U.S. They damage crops by sucking the fluids from plants.
Unfortunately, the bugs have been seen recently as far north as New England and as far west as California.
To prevent crop loss from pests in your vegetable garden, you must have a solid plan. Controlling or removing them is essential.
How to Get Rid of Harlequin Bugs Naturally
The following are natural ways to prevent and/or remove Harlequin bugs from their favorite crops, such as broccoli, mustard greens, collard greens, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower.
Keep in mind that these bugs have three life stages: egg, nymph (no wings), and adult (similar to stink bugs).
These home remedies and natural solutions may kill only one, two, or all life stages. Therefore, be mindful that your plan may need to include a few options below to get rid of or prevent an infestation.
1. Pick Them Off
As the weather warms up, be ready to inspect and pick off leaves or stems as needed. Harlequin beetle eggs are barrel-shaped pods that are white with black bands.
Therefore, immediately remove the leaves to which you see them attached, and inspect the rest of the plant. For nymphs and adult bugs, look for a bright display of insects that travel on stems and leaves.
Place the eggs, nymphs, or bugs in soapy water to suffocate and kill them.
2. Remove Weeds
The adult Harlequin bug can survive the winter and colder seasons by burrowing in thick growth areas, such as weeds or unwanted plants.
Therefore, inspect all areas and remove eggs and bugs as you find them. Additionally, remove any wilting leaves and get rid of weeds from your garden.
3. Trap Crops
To isolate the critters, plant their favorite crops in a specific area. You can grow them around the garden’s edge or in a different location entirely.
Alternatively, you can plant a separate area first, before other crops, to focus the bugs in one location. Trap crops include such things as kale, broccoli, and mustard.
4. Guinea Fowl
These bugs are a delicious snack for guinea fowl. So having a few around your yard is an easy and effective organic harlequin bug control method.
And, fortunately, guineas do not scratch and destroy the earth (or garden) as chickens do.
5. Row Covers
Hanging garden screen barrier netting is a good alternative for keeping bugs off plants.
Suspend the netting from a PVC pipe, clothesline, or wire. This protects your plants while allowing sunlight to pass through. Alternatively, purchase ready-made row covers from local gardening centers.
6. Traps
Utilizing traps to attract and kill these bugs can be another component of controlling harlequin bugs. Testing has been done that has determined these bugs’ favorite colors are green, black, and red.
These studies also showed that a trap set out for 7 weeks and placed off the ground a bit can catch hundreds of harlequin beetles.
One way to trap them is by filling a green bucket with soapy water and allowing them to plunge into the water and die.
Another harlequin bug trap is the Dead Inn Stink Bug Trap. Place it outdoors to lure and catch the pests.
7. Harlequin Bug Predators
Unfortunately, due to the stinky nature of this bug, it rarely has insect predators (beneficial insects).
Therefore, no ladybugs or other common helpful insects placed in your garden can rid the population of these bugs. However, other natural predators, such as birds and toads, will eat harlequin bugs.
8. Diatomaceous Earth
Using this powdery substance is an effective way to control harlequin bugs organically.
These critters have a tough and protective exoskeleton. However, by removing this exoskeleton, the bug will die.
This method destroys its exoskeleton, which will cause the bug to dehydrate and die. Diatomaceous earth will kill the pests at both the nymphal and adult stages.
9. Neem Oil
A practical solution to deter harlequin bugs, neem oil is a safe and natural pest repellent.
However, be sure to spray the entire plant, including the areas bunched up where the bugs could be seeking shelter from the cold.
10. Companion Plants
Good news! These bugs dislike the smell of certain plants, such as garlic, mint, tansy, and catnip.
Planting these bug-repelling plants in your garden can help stop harlequin bug infestations.
11. Kaolin Clay
By creating a barrier on the plant, you can repel the bugs with this natural mineral because it causes confusion and irritation.
Kaolin clay is an effective crop protectant that you can dilute in water and spray directly on plants.
12. Insecticidal Soap
Another solution that works at all life stages is insecticidal soap. Insecticidal soap spray kills harlequin bugs.
There are many options available on the market, including a good one from the Arbico Organics pest control product line.
13. Crop Rotation
Rotating crops is a good way to get rid of bugs and pests. Removing and destroying the previous crop gets rid of any infestations or damage.
By getting the soil ready for a new crop, you’ll also expose bugs that have been trying to stay warm during the winter.
However, be sure to discard all materials. Please do not put them in a compost pile or recycle them in any way.
Takeaway
Harlequin bugs are strong pests in the world of crops. The females can live up to 82 days, and they reproduce rapidly.
One season of crops can easily see hundreds of these pests.
Knowing what attracts these bugs or keeps them from thriving helps crop owners. They can then create a multilayered plan to prevent or get rid of infestations.
Sasha Campbell
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