Introduction

Tomato plants are a staple in many gardens, but they are also a target for stink bugs, which can do significant damage to the plants if they are not kept under control. In this article, we will discuss some effective ways to keep stink bugs off your tomato plants and protect your harvest.

Cultural Control Measures

The first step in keeping stink bugs off tomato plants is to implement some cultural control measures. This involves practicing good garden hygiene and taking steps to make your garden less attractive to stink bugs. Some of the things you can do include:

Removing any weeds or debris from around your tomato plants

Regularly cleaning up fallen plant material, especially in the fall

Rotating your crops to help disrupt the stink bugs' life cycle

Planting companion plants that act as natural repellents, such as marigolds or garlic

Physical Control Measures

If cultural control measures are not enough, you may need to employ physical control measures to keep stink bugs off tomato plants. There are a number of options for this, including:

Using insect netting to cover your tomato plants

Shaking the plants to dislodge stink bugs and then squishing them by hand

Vacuuming up the bugs with a handheld vacuum

Placing sticky traps near your plants to catch stink bugs

Chemical Control Measures

If cultural and physical control measures fail, you may need to resort to chemical control measures to keep stink bugs off your tomato plants. This should be a last resort, as many pesticides can harm beneficial insects and have other negative environmental effects. However, if you do use pesticides, be sure to:

Choose a pesticide that is labeled for use on tomatoes

Follow all instructions and precautions on the label carefully

Apply the pesticide in the early morning or late evening, when bees and other pollinators are less active

Use protective gear, such as gloves and a mask, when applying the pesticide

Prevention

Preventing stink bugs from becoming a problem in the first place is the best way to keep them off your tomato plants. Some preventative measures you can take include:

Inspecting any plants or plant material that you bring into your garden for stink bugs

Sealing up any cracks or gaps in your home's exterior that stink bugs could use to gain entry

Using a vacuum to remove any stink bugs that make their way into your home

Trimming back any vegetation around your home, as stink bugs are attracted to overgrown areas

Conclusion

Stink bugs can be a frustrating pest to deal with, especially when they start to damage your tomato plants. However, by implementing some cultural, physical, and/or chemical control measures, you can keep stink bugs off your plants and protect your harvest. Prevention is also key, so be sure to take steps to keep stink bugs from becoming a problem in the first place.