Sasha CampbellIt is frustrating when insect pests, like the leaf-footed bug, damage your garden. It may even set back your harvest.
Leaf-footed bugs are not dangerous, as they do not harm humans. But an infestation or too many of these pests can damage your crops.
When pests are in your garden, you must find the best, safest ways to control them to protect your plants.
Don’t despair. There are many ways to get rid of these insects from your garden or house without using harsh chemicals.
Leaf-Footed Bug Identification
Leaf-footed bugs (pomegranate bugs) cause damage like stink bugs [1].
These plant bugs are noticeable because their hind legs look like tiny leaves. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to feed on the fruits and seeds of certain plants.
How to Get Rid of Leaf-Footed Bugs Naturally
If you’ve been looking for ways to control these bugs, below are 13 natural and organic ways to remove them from your garden.
1. Use Row Covers
Row covers have many uses in the garden, one of which is to control all kinds of pests. However, it is best to use them at the beginning of your planting season before the pests arrive.
Once the bugs are present, this may not be the best option, as they are already in your garden. Also, the material used should be light in weight and can let water pass through.
A downside may be that it prevents beneficial bugs from reaching your plants.
2. Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous earth is an excellent organic leaf-footed bug control remedy. Use it in your garden or around the house to help keep away dangerous bugs.
You can sprinkle DE on or around your plants; the good news is that you don’t need to use it often. Just a little bit will help eradicate unwanted pests.
You do, however, need to reapply after any rain. It will help rid your yard and garden of these critters. Moreover, it is also organic and natural, unlike Sevin dust. Read more about how to use diatomaceous earth for pest control.
3. Neem Oil
You can buy neem oil concentrate. It primarily works on leaf-footed nymphs.
Alternatively, make a homemade leaf-footed bug spray by mixing two tablespoons of pure neem oil with a gallon of water. Spray it on both sides of the leaves.
4. Physically Remove Bugs
If you spend a lot of time in your garden, removing the bugs by hand is a good solution. So, take the time to look through the plants and at the backs of the leaves.
When you see a bug, pick it off and squeeze it between your gloved fingers. If that doesn’t sound pleasant, you can drop the bug in soapy water to kill it by suffocation.
5. Clear Woodpiles and Winter Shelters
It is typical to leave remnants of wood and debris around your yard and winter shelters. However, this is something that can invite these creatures to your gardens.
They will look for warm places to go during the winter, and their survival means more eggs in the spring. More eggs mean more damage to your garden later.
6. Get Rid of Weeds
Weeds can attract these bugs as well. Leaf-footed bugs will likely stick around to eat the leaves of your weeds, lay their eggs, and multiply.
But they will die out or go elsewhere if you do not give them food. Therefore, if you pull the weeds, it is less likely that these insects will stay.
7. Prune Your Trees
Leaf-footed bugs love to eat the leaves of certain plants and fruit trees, like tomatoes and pomegranates. As a result, it is essential to prune the branches on these trees to help keep these pests away.
Get out a garden tool like a pruning shear or scissors and focus on getting branches close to the ground. Pruning your trees can also help you notice where the pesky insects are hiding so they can be removed.
8. Natural Predators
Not all bugs are pests. Some can help drive out the less desirable ones and even do good for your crops.
Some useful garden insects are wasps, tachinid flies, and assassin bugs. Know them and their eggs, and be sure to let them be. In return, they will help you naturally get rid of the harmful bugs.
Other leaf-footed bug predators include birds, frogs, spiders, lizards, and snakes. Moreover, bluebirds, wrens, and cardinals eat stink bugs [2], so I assume they’ll also eat leaf-footed bugs.
9. Trap Crop
A trap crop is a plant that attracts bugs to get them away from any plants they destroy. If you are growing a vegetable garden, add sunflowers nearby.
Sunflower is a great trap crop for leaf-footed bugs. The critters love the seeds and may leave other plants alone to get to the sunflowers.
To get rid of the bugs, shake them out of the sunflowers, and afterward, step on or drop them into soapy water.
10. Remove the Eggs
Leaf-footed bugs tend to lay their golden-brown, cylindrical eggs in a row. You can find them under leaves or on stems.
You can physically pick the eggs off and either crush them or place them in hot, soapy water to kill them.
11. Use ECOWORKS
ECOWORKS is a great organic pesticide that can be used in the garden. Not only is it good for getting rid of many insect pests, but it is also great for treating fungus.
Its ingredients list Azadirachtin as one of the main elements that make the pesticide effective, killing the critters on contact.
Depending on how you would like to apply it, follow the instructions on the container when using it in your garden.
12. Azera
Another excellent natural insecticide to use against this menace is Azera. The product uses extracts from neem trees and daisies that have been proven to work on most garden pests.
Therefore, this organic insecticide will likely kill leaf-footed bugs and other species of Leptoglossus.
13. Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay is a natural crop protectant that can be sprayed on your plants to create a barrier so insect pests cannot get to your precious plants.
While it can be used for most crops, it is very effective on fruit trees, grape trees, and garden plants like cucumbers and tomatoes.
Related: How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs (Home Remedies and More)
Takeaway
Pests are not fun or welcome in your garden, especially leaf-footed bugs.
Fortunately, there are many methods to get rid of bugs organically. These remedies will help ensure your garden thrives and remains free of harmful bugs.
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