Leaf-footed bugs are bad for your edible plants and trees. In this article, I will explain how to get rid of leaf-footed bugs and leaf-footed bug nymphs effectively in your garden.
The main purpose of this article is to tell you the most effective ways to get rid of leaf-footed bugs.
On GardenVive, I always try to explain how those methods work and how the specific pest damages your garden. This gonna make this article a bit long. Stay with me, you're gonna learn something new today.
It's important for you to identify the leaf-footed bug properly before you start taking any measurements.
People often get confused between the leaf-footed bug nymphs and the assassin bugs. Assassin bug is good for your garden. Don't kill them. They eat aphids and other bad creatures.
Here, I have explained the key identification for the leaf-footed bug (adult)
I have drawn this in command. I am not good at drawing, so I thought this would be enough to explain identification.
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The leaf-footed bug nymphs always stay in a group.
Once you confirm you get leaf-footed bugs in your garden, it's time to get rid of them.
The nymphs are easy to treat as they do not have wings yet, and they move slowly. Their outer shell is not hard enough yet.
How to get rid of leaf-footed bug nymphs
Due to their softer outer body, all of these work on them:
- Neem oil
- Insecticidal soap
- Horticultural oils
Mix neem oil 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of water.
Note: If you are using concentrated neem oil, add a few drops of mild dishwashing soap.
Spray in the evening to avoid direct sunlight on the leaves after spraying. (especially if you are planning to add dishwashing soap)
When you find a cluster of nymphs, spray on the cluster.
You can also use insecticidal soap. But if you ask my personal opinion, avoid this on edible plants.
If you ever find eggs of the leaf-footed bug, apply Horticultural oil. This works best at the early stage of infestation.
I recently tried a vacuum, and it works great on nymphs.
How to get rid of adult/mature leaf-footed bug
The adult bugs have harder shells.
The best method is the hand-picking method.
You can do that at night or early morning.
Note: Do not forget to wear gloves (they release a pungent odor when threatened). Keep a bucket of soapy water. Drop the picked ones in the bucket.
You can also try planting sunflowers nearby. Sunflowers attract them.
As they mostly attack edible plants and fruits, I would not recommend chemical spray.
You can try this:
This will protect your fruits, tomatoes, and peppers from this bug.
