13 Natural Ways to Get Rid of Leaf-Footed Bugs

Leaf-footed bugs can quickly become a problem in your garden.

They damage fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants by piercing them and sucking out their juices. This can lead to significant crop damage and reduced harvests.

Leaf-footed bugs are not considered dangerous, as they do not pose a threat to humans. However, an infestation or excessive numbers 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 natural ways to get rid of these insects from your garden or house.

Leaf-Footed Bug Identification

Leaf-footed bugs are closely related to stink bugs and cause similar damage to plants [1].

Many of the leaf-footed bugs commonly found in gardens belong to the genus Leptoglossus. Some species go by the name “pomegranate bugs” because they attack pomegranates.

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.

Adult leaf-footed bugs are strong fliers and may move between gardens in search of food [2].

Damage

Leaf-footed bug damage often appears as discolored spots, dimples, or deformities on fruits [3]. Tomatoes may develop yellow blotches beneath the skin, while nuts and fruits may drop prematurely.

Monitor plants regularly in spring and early summer. Controlling nymphs before they mature can significantly reduce damage later in the season.

How to Get Rid of Leaf-Footed Bugs Naturally

If you’ve been looking for ways to control these bugs, here are 13 natural, organic ways to remove them from your garden.

1. Use Row Covers

Row covers have many uses in the garden, including controlling pests. However, it is best to use them at the start of your planting season before 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 lightweight and allow water to pass through.

A downside may be that it prevents beneficial bugs from reaching your plants.

2. Diatomaceous Earth

Diatomaceous earth is an excellent organic remedy for controlling leaf-footed bugs. Use it in your garden or around the house to help control unwanted insect pests.

You can sprinkle DE on or around your plants; the good news is that you don’t need to use it often. Just a light dusting can help reduce leaf-footed bug nymphs and other crawling pests.

You do, however, need to reapply after any rain. It can help reduce their populations when applied correctly.

Moreover, it is an organic and natural option for pest control. Read more about how to use diatomaceous earth for pest control.

3. Neem Oil

You can buy neem oil concentrate. It is most effective against young leaf-footed bug nymphs and is generally less effective against adults.

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, handpicking bugs 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 into soapy water to suffocate it.

5. Clear Woodpiles and Winter Shelters

It is common to leave wood and debris around your yard and winter shelters. However, this can invite these creatures into your garden.

They will look for warm places to shelter during the winter. The more adults that survive the cold months, the more eggs they can lay in spring. More eggs mean more damage to your garden later.

6. Get Rid of Weeds

Weeds can also attract these bugs.

Leaf-footed bugs may use weeds as host plants, where they can feed, shelter, lay eggs, and multiply. However, they will die or move elsewhere if you do not provide them with food.

Therefore, removing weeds can make your garden less attractive to these insects.

7. Prune Your Trees

Leaf-footed bugs often hide among dense foliage and fruiting branches.

Pruning trees and shrubs can improve air circulation and visibility. This helps you spot and remove bugs and their eggs before their populations grow.

8. Natural Predators

Not all bugs are pests. Some can help drive out the less desirable ones and even benefit your crops.

Some beneficial 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 control harmful bugs.

Other predators of leaf-footed bugs include birds, frogs, spiders, lizards, and snakes. Birds such as bluebirds, wrens, and cardinals may occasionally feed on leaf-footed bugs.

9. Trap Crop

A trap crop is a plant that attracts pests, diverting them from other plants they would otherwise damage. If you are growing a vegetable garden, add sunflowers nearby.

Sunflowers are 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, then step on them 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 an excellent organic pesticide for the garden. It helps control a wide range of insect pests in the garden.

The product contains azadirachtin, a natural compound from neem. It helps control many insect pests by disrupting their feeding and development.

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 for this menace is Azera. The product uses extracts from neem trees and daisies, both of which are proven effective against many garden pests.

Therefore, this organic insecticide may help control leaf-footed bugs (Leptoglossus spp.) when used according to label directions.

13. Kaolin Clay

Kaolin clay is a natural crop protectant. When sprayed on plants, it forms a barrier that keeps insect pests away and protects your plants.

While it can be used for most crops, it is particularly effective on fruit trees, grapevines, and garden plants such as 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 organic methods that can help reduce leaf-footed bug populations and protect your plants from further damage.