How to Keep Stink Bugs From Eating Your Garden
It's every gardener's fear: the site of little white spots on the leaves of their flowers, fruits and veggies, which are the telltale signs of stink bugs. Squash the little critters and the reason behind their name becomes all too evident. If you coat your garden in pesticides you risk harming your plants and the Earth. Use preventive practices and get rid of stink bugs naturally to keep your garden green. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Row covers
- Mower or hedge trimmers
- Fennel seeds
- Dill seeds
- Soap
- Garlic
- Mineral oil
- Spray bottle
Instructions
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Protect leafy plants, which stink bugs like, with row covers, to keep them insect-free. Row covers are made from polyester and are available at most garden supply stores. Thanks to their mesh construction, row covers allow sunlight and rain in, but keep stink bugs out. Inspect row covers periodically to ensure they are free of holes and lay evenly across the ground to keep stink bugs from finding an entry point.
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Mow weeds and grass surrounding the garden. Stink bugs hide in overgrown weeds and grass, so deny them shelter by keeping everything neatly trimmed.
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Plant crops that attract insects that pray on stink bugs, providing your garden with a protective army to destroy unwanted guests. Fennel and dill lure helpful insects like damsel bugs, filling the garden with stink bug predators and herbs that can be harvested and used to lend flavor to food.
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Spray the garden with homemade, nontoxic stink bug repellents. Mince 3 ounces of garlic and let is soak in 2 teaspoons of mineral oil for 24 hour. Next, mix the garlic and oil with 1 pint of water that contains 1/4 ounce of liquid soap and strain into a jar. Add 1 or 2 tablespoons of the mixture to a pint of water in a spray bottle, and use it to spritz plants and repel stink bugs.
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Tips & Warnings
If touching stink bugs, wear gardening gloves to prevent them from biting.
Squishing stink bugs releases their foul scent and attracts more of them to the area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photos.com/Photos.com/Getty Images
