Stinkbugs - I need ideas to keep them off my Tomatoes

[Mini Horses]

Actually, ducks and guineas scratch less. But all will eat tender new sprouts. It's hard to NOT have at least some new things, right? If they are only hitting tomatoes, fence them off and add birds? Try the Neem and BT first. Less trouble.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

They start with the tomatoes, lol. After I get ticked off and pull the plants up or cut 'em back they will attack other veggies...squash, okra and even beans. They are pretty terrible on sunflowers too - maybe plant a bunch of sunflowers to lure them away from the tomatoes?

I've used insecticidal soap. I didn't notice it killing them, but if I could spray them good enough to wet them down I could hand pick. One year I went out early every morning and started hand picking. When I started topping 200 every! stinking! morning! I gave up.

I swear I'm going to hit 'em hard this year with every single idea.

 

[flowerbug]

I have a lot of water sources scattered around - but not bird baths specifically. There are water buckets in all pens and several large troughs. I have bird savers in all troughs so that the birds can access the water without drowning. I also put out chicken feed twice a day. Our local birds know the feeding schedule as well as the chickens do and will barely wait until my back is turned to swoop in and steel a seed or two. Maybe they don't enjoy a stinkbug snack, lol. I wonder if guinea fowl would eat them...or even chickens? But, I can't let chickens into the garden because they're scratching destroys fragile plants. Maybe I could get some bantams to keep in the garden. Smaller chickens, smaller damage?

ah, that may be a part of the difference here, we don't feed the birds other than what they forage from the gardens, bushes or trees. they have to earn their living like the rest of us.

 

[flowerbug]

i wonder if there is some trap for them that can be used? i've not looked into it though.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Ah, that may be a part of the difference here, we don't feed the birds other than what they forage from the gardens, bushes or trees. they have to earn their living like the rest of us.

I don't intentionally feed them, lol. I think I didn't explain it very well - sorry. They are earning their living by stealing chicken feed!

I remember using a trap that you put dish soap in and a light over it...didn't catch enough to make it worth the electricity for the light...

But, I just did a quick search and it looks like they have some pheromone traps that are listed for inside or outside. I think I'll be giving those a try! Thanks for the reminder!

 

[flowerbug]

I don't intentionally feed them, lol. I think I didn't explain it very well - sorry. They are earning their living by stealing chicken feed!

I remember using a trap that you put dish soap in and a light over it...didn't catch enough to make it worth the electricity for the light...

But, I just did a quick search and it looks like they have some pheromone traps that are listed for inside or outside. I think I'll be giving those a try! Thanks for the reminder!

great! just remember to put them some distance away from your gardens you are trying to protect, but they should also come with instructions so disregard this advice if they say something else. haha. good luck!