Sasha CampbellPlant-eating stink bugs damage plants by sucking their sap. In some cases, they can cause significant damage to your crops.
You may find stink bugs in your garden on tomatoes, corn, green peppers, beans, and other vegetables. Some may also enter your home in the cooler months for warmth and shelter.
Controlling stink bugs early can help prevent serious damage to your vegetables and fruits.
Identification
The stink bug got its name from its unpleasant odor when disturbed or threatened.
Some say it smells like cilantro; others say it smells like burned tires. However, these insects’ unpleasant odor is thought to serve as a defense against predators [1].
Depending on the species, the adult bugs may be green, grayish, or brown. Stink bugs have a distinctive shield-shaped body and are typically about 1/2 to 3/4 inch long.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in the Garden Naturally
These are some of the most effective natural methods for controlling stink bugs.
1. Kaolin Clay
Kaolin clay, prepared in a spray solution and applied to plants, coats fruits and leaves with a white film. It forms a barrier that prevents stink bugs from feeding.
It will also deter other pests.
2. Natural Predators
Attracting natural predators that prey on stink bugs is one of the most effective natural control methods.
Natural enemies of stink bugs include parasitic wasps, assassin bugs, predatory stink bugs, bats, and some birds.
Find out which natural predators of stink bugs are in your area and how to attract them.
3. Trap Crops
Several plants can be used as trap crops to lure stink bugs away from vegetables. These include sunflowers, green amaranth, buckwheat, alfalfa, and sorghum.
Plant one or more of these plants nearby to help keep flying stink bugs out of your vegetable garden.
4. Pick Them Off
The cheapest stink bug home remedy is to remove them by hand.
Quickly pluck them off your tomato plants, pepper plants, blackberries, or any other plants where you find them. Next, drop them into a bucket of soapy water to suffocate and kill them.
5. Hose Them
Use a spray nozzle on your hose and set it to high to get rid of stink bugs on your plants. This DIY method may not kill them, but it will deter them for a while.
6. Sticky Traps
These can help capture and monitor stink bugs. However, use them cautiously, as they can also catch beneficial insects.
Use sticky traps as part of your stink bug management strategy in the garden and around the home.
Place sticky traps around the garden perimeter or near plants where stink bugs are commonly found. If these insects enter your home, you can also place sticky traps around your windowsills.
7. Neem Oil
Neem oil may help suppress stink bug populations, especially in young nymphs. It can also help control many other garden pests.
Mix two teaspoons of neem oil with 4 cups of water. Spray everywhere you find these stink bugs.
8. Diatomaceous Earth (DE)
Diatomaceous earth is an excellent organic remedy for getting rid of stink bugs. Sprinkle the product at the base of the plants and on the leaves.
Alternatively, mix DE with water and spray it onto plants to apply the product. Once the water evaporates, the dried DE remains on the surface and can help control stink bugs and other crawling insects.
You can also use food-grade diatomaceous earth to get rid of stink bugs in your home. Once they come into contact with it, it dehydrates and kills them.
DE also works excellently against kudzu bugs and western conifer seed bugs.
9. Eliminate Weeds
Most stink bugs also feed on weeds and grasses, so eliminating these plants will significantly reduce their diet.
10. Garlic Spray
Garlic spray is an effective home remedy for many garden pests, including stink bugs.
This treatment combines 2 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of garlic powder. The scent of this solution will repel stink bugs.
Use this DIY stink bug repellent spray on plants outside. You can also use it around your balcony, windowsills, doorways, and other home entry points.
11. Soapy Water
Make a soapy water solution and spray it directly on stink bugs and in the areas where they crawl. It will eventually kill them as they try to crawl through it.
For this killer recipe, combine 1/2 cup organic liquid soap with 1 cup vinegar and 2 cups water in a spray bottle.
Next, use this soapy water-and-vinegar concoction to spray those little green stink bugs (or whatever color they might be). However, test the spray on a small portion of the plant first, as soap-and-vinegar mixtures may damage some plants.
You can also knock the bugs off the plant and put them in a bucket of plain, hot, soapy water where they’ll drown. It will kill them almost instantly.
12. Hot Pepper Spray
Create a homemade spray for stink bugs by mixing two tablespoons of cayenne pepper flakes with 1 gallon of water. After straining, you can also add a small amount of dish soap.
This hot pepper solution may repel stink bugs and can irritate insects that come into direct contact with it.
13. Repellent Plants
Some gardeners report that strongly scented plants such as catnip, marigold, garlic, thyme, and lavender may help discourage stink bugs.
Plant these around your yard and garden to help keep the critters away.
14. Row Covers
Use floating row covers to prevent stink bugs and other insect pests from accessing your crops.
Cover your plants. Keep the covers securely in place during periods of stink bug activity and inspect them regularly for insects.
15. Essential Oils
Some essential oils may help repel stink bugs naturally, although results can vary. Scents that may keep these insects away include rosemary, clove, eucalyptus, lemongrass, and thyme oil.
To make a homemade stink bug spray with essential oils, mix 15 to 20 drops of your chosen oil with 2 cups of warm water. Shake well, then spray the stink bugs you see and the areas where they frequently gather.
16. Vinegar Spray
You can also make a simple vinegar spray for stink bugs. All you need is a cup of vinegar, half a cup of dish soap, and two cups of hot water.
Shake it up in a spray bottle to spray the bugs directly. It will kill them.
17. Azera
Azera is a natural insecticide that can help control stink bugs and many other garden pests. It works against brown marmorated stink bugs, green shield bugs, and other insect pests.
It combines pyrethrins and azadirachtin, both of which are effective against a wide range of garden pests, including stink bugs. Use it according to the instructions that come with your purchase.
18. Vacuum Them Up
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove stink bugs that enter your home.
Empty the vacuum bag or contents outdoors immediately afterward to prevent lingering odors.
Takeaway
Stink bugs may affect not only your garden but also your home. Getting rid of them before an infestation is the best course of action.
However, don’t mistake stink bugs for common squash pests. If you see insects on your cucumber plants, pumpkins, or squash, those are more likely to be squash bugs rather than stink bugs.
See also: Leaf-Footed Bug Natural Control.
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