If you’re passionate about gardening—whether you tend a few tomato plants on a patio or manage a sprawling backyard orchard—you already know that stink bugs can wreak havoc on fruits and vegetables. They puncture the skin of produce, leaving behind unsightly blemishes and potentially ruining your harvest. In this article, we’ll discuss what stink bug damage looks like, which crops are most affected in Raleigh, and the best practices for protecting your hard-earned fruits and vegetables.
Let’s start with identifying damage. When stink bugs feed, they use their mouthparts to pierce the surface of fruits and vegetables, sucking out the juices. This feeding process often leaves small, discolored or necrotic spots that can grow or merge over time. On tomatoes, you might see cloudy white spots or “cat-facing,” a deformity where the fruit becomes lumpy or rough. Peppers might develop dimples or pits, and peaches can show corky, brownish areas just beneath the skin. In severe infestations, the fruit can become inedible, though in mild cases, you can sometimes cut out the damaged sections.
Which crops are most vulnerable? Based on feedback from Raleigh gardeners and data from the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, here are a few of the top targets:
- Tomatoes: Highly susceptible during the fruiting stage, especially in late summer.
- Peppers: Both bell peppers and hot peppers can show pitting or dimpling where stink bugs feed.
- Beans and Legumes: Pods can develop dark spots or fail to mature properly.
- Fruit Trees (Peach, Apple, Pear): Stink bugs leave discolored or corky spots, leading to lower fruit quality.
- Corn: While not as common in small gardens, sweet corn ears can suffer from missing kernels where stink bugs have fed.
Stink bug populations often peak in late summer, just as many garden crops are ready for harvest. To safeguard your produce, consider early intervention. Regularly scout your garden, turning leaves to spot egg masses. These are typically small, cylindrical, and laid in clusters. If you see them, remove them immediately by hand or clip off the affected leaf section. While a single stink bug may not ruin your garden, an entire generation of nymphs can cause serious damage.
We’ve had great success recommending row covers in Raleigh, especially for smaller garden plots. By placing a lightweight cover over your plants—particularly during fruit set—you can keep stink bugs from laying eggs on those plants. Just remember to remove the covers or lift them once it’s time for pollination, unless you have self-pollinating varieties. You don’t want to block beneficial pollinators from reaching your blossoms.
Another best practice is companion planting. As we touched on in an earlier article, certain plants like marigolds, radishes, and chrysanthemums may help deter stink bugs or attract their natural predators. Additionally, growing plants that support beneficial insects—like parasitic wasps or pirate bugs—can curb stink bug numbers by targeting eggs and nymphs. While companion planting isn’t foolproof, it contributes to a healthier, more diverse garden ecosystem that’s better equipped to fight off pests naturally.
If damage is already extensive, you might need targeted treatments. We generally advise starting with less toxic methods, such as insecticidal soaps or neem oil. These work best when sprayed directly on the bugs or their eggs. Keep in mind that these products offer minimal residual protection—once they dry, they’re not as effective. For larger gardens or severe infestations, some gardeners consider synthetic pesticides, but we urge caution. Broad-spectrum insecticides can harm beneficial insects, potentially leading to secondary pest problems (like aphids or spider mites) down the line. Always read labels carefully and follow guidelines for safe application, especially if you plan to eat the treated produce.
Another tip: Practice good garden hygiene. Overripe or rotting fruit left on the vine or on the ground can attract stink bugs. Regularly harvest ripe produce, and promptly discard any spoiled or heavily damaged fruits. Keep weeds and debris to a minimum, as these can harbor stink bugs and other pests. If you mulch, choose materials that don’t create additional hiding spots, like straw rather than chunky wood mulch where insects might hide.
For those who love fruit trees, sanitation and monitoring are key. Prune your trees to improve airflow and reduce dense foliage where stink bugs can hide. Once fruits start forming, inspect them frequently. Sticky traps or pheromone traps can help monitor bug activity, though they may not always be the best control method for large orchards. If you see consistent feeding damage, a well-timed spray of an approved orchard pesticide could be warranted. Just be sure to follow pre-harvest intervals and re-entry times to ensure the safety of your family and pets.
At Wake Pest, we often offer integrated solutions for gardeners facing recurring stink bug issues. We might pair a perimeter treatment around your property with advice on row covers, companion planting, or even beneficial insect releases. If you have a serious infestation, we can provide a targeted treatment plan that focuses on specific crop areas while sparing the rest of your garden. This approach minimizes chemical exposure and maintains a healthier overall environment.
In summary, protecting your fruits and vegetables from stink bugs requires vigilance and a mix of strategies. From scouting and manual removal to row covers and selective sprays, there’s no single silver bullet. However, by staying proactive and combining multiple tactics, you can significantly reduce the damage stink bugs inflict on your garden. And remember, if you need personalized advice or a professional touch, the Wake Pest team is just a phone call away. We’re always happy to help our Raleigh neighbors enjoy a bountiful, bug-resistant harvest!