Sasha CampbellGot a pesky problem with tarnished plant bugs? These small bugs can damage many garden plants and crops.
If you’re looking for more natural ways to control tarnished plant bugs, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best methods for dealing with these pesky pests without harsh chemicals.
Identification
What do tarnished plant bugs (TPB) look like?
Adult tarnished plant bugs are about ¼ inch long. They are usually brown, greenish-brown, or tan [1]. They have a small, pale triangle on their back where the wings meet.
These bugs feed on many plants, including tomatoes, potatoes, strawberries, spinach, celery, snap beans, cotton, and weeds. They can also feed on some fruit trees and flowering plants.
So if you have any of these plants in your garden or around your yard, it’s wise to keep an eye out for tarnished plant bugs (Lygus lineolaris).
Damage
Tarnished plant bugs use their piercing mouthparts to feed on plant tissues and juices. This can cause flowers to drop before they produce fruit.
Tomatoes may become misshapen or scarred. This is often called catfacing. Tarnished plant bugs can also cause misshapen strawberries.
Leaves and stems may also become twisted or damaged.
How to Get Rid of Tarnished Plant Bugs Naturally
If your garden or crops become infested with tarnished plant bugs, it’s important to act fast.
Natural options like protecting plants with row covers, encouraging predatory insects, removing weeds, and using certain natural pest-control products can help reduce damage from these bugs.
Below is a list of home remedies and natural control methods for these pests.
1. Floating Row Covers
Row covers can create a barrier that keeps tarnished plant bugs away from your crops. Put the covers in place before the bugs reach the plants.
Check the plants first, because row covers can trap pests underneath.
2. Check Plants Often
Check your plants often for tarnished plant bugs and signs of damage. Pay special attention to flower buds, young fruit, and new growth.
Finding the bugs early can help you control them before they cause more damage.
3. Sticky Traps
Sticky traps may catch some adult tarnished plant bugs and can help you monitor pest activity. However, they usually work best as part of a larger pest-control plan.
4. Crop Rotation
Crop rotation can help reduce some garden pests and diseases. However, it may not stop tarnished plant bugs because adult bugs can fly in from nearby weeds and other plants.
5. Trap Crops
Some gardeners use trap crops to attract tarnished plant bugs away from valuable crops. However, this method needs careful planning because the trap plant may also attract more bugs to the area.
6. Eliminate Weeds from the Garden
Some weeds can provide food and shelter for these bugs, so it’s important to keep problem weeds in check.
Pull or dig out weeds as soon as you notice them. You can use a hoe or weed digger for large areas, and a hand trowel for smaller ones.
Removing weeds can reduce the food and shelter available to tarnished plant bugs.
7. Natural Predators
Enlisting the help of natural predators is one of the most effective and least labor-intensive ways to help control tarnished plant bugs.
Young tarnished plant bugs have several natural enemies that feed on them and help keep their numbers down. Some of these helpful insects include pirate bugs, damsel bugs, and big-eyed bugs [2].
Some insect-eating birds may also eat plant bugs and other garden pests.
8. Kaolin clay
Kaolin clay is used in some pest-control products.
It coats the leaves with a thin white film. The white coating can make the plant less attractive and can make it harder for some insects to feed on the plant.
Surround WP is one product that contains kaolin clay.
9. Insecticidal Soap
When sprayed onto a tarnished plant bug, insecticidal soap damages the insect’s outer cell membranes. This causes the insect to lose water and die.
Insecticidal soap works best on young tarnished plant bug nymphs. Spray the insects directly, as soap only works when it comes into contact with them. It does not keep working after it dries.
You can buy insecticidal soap online or at most garden centers.
10. Neem Oil
Neem-based products may help control some insects, especially young tarnished plant bug nymphs. They may reduce feeding and slow their growth.
Spray both the tops and undersides of the leaves where the bugs are found. Apply it as soon as you notice the pests for the best results.
Follow the directions on the neem oil product label. Some neem oil products must be mixed with water and an emulsifier before use. Do not add extra soap unless the product label recommends it.
Test the spray on a small part of the plant first. Some plants can be damaged by neem oil, especially in hot weather or strong sunlight.
11. Hand Removal
For small gardens, you can try shaking the bugs into a bucket of soapy water. Early morning may be a good time to try this because the insects may be less active.
12. Bug Buster-O
This is a plant-based insecticide. Always follow the product label to avoid damaging plants.
Bug Buster-O contains pyrethrins, a botanical insecticide derived from chrysanthemums. The spray must contact the insect to kill it.
Avoid spraying when bees and other pollinators are active. Follow the product label for directions about protecting pollinators.
13. Pyganic Gardening
This botanical insecticide can kill tarnished plant bugs when the spray contacts them.
Pyganic Gardening is an OMRI-listed botanical insecticide. It is labeled for use against tarnished plant bugs and many other insect pests.
However, pyrethrins can harm bees and other beneficial insects. Do not spray plants while bees and other pollinators are actively visiting them. Always follow the product label.
Tarnished Plant Bug Prevention Tips
- Check your plants often for bugs and signs of damage.
- Keep problem weeds under control, as some weeds can provide food and shelter for tarnished plant bugs.
- You can also use floating row covers to protect plants before the bugs arrive.
- Encourage helpful insects, such as pirate bugs and big-eyed bugs, by avoiding unnecessary broad-spectrum pesticides.
Takeaway
Natural methods can help reduce tarnished plant bugs while limiting the use of broad-spectrum pesticides.
Start by protecting plants with row covers, removing problem weeds, encouraging helpful insects, and checking plants often.
If you need to use a pesticide, choose a product labeled for tarnished plant bugs and follow the directions carefully.
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