When to look for leaf-footed bugs and how to stop an outbreak
Leaf-footed bugs typically appear when tomato plants begin to bloom. That’ s when Keck recommends paying even closer attention.
“ The trick is to catch them when they’ re immature,” she said.“ You prevent more damage by catching them before they become adults and stop that next generation.”
Keck prefers a hands-on approach to managing leaf-footed bugs:— Pour rubbing alcohol into a baking sheet.— Hold the tray below the nymph’ s cluster.— Flick or shake the tomato plant to make the bugs fall into the tray.— Squash any that held onto the plant or missed the tray.
To eliminate nymphs in particular, some gardeners use a hand vacuum or simply squash them. Nymphs are easier to remove than adults, which can fly away.
Keck said they can become adults in just five to eight weeks, so early timing is important.
Vigilance in the garden to prevent problems
Regular walks in the garden are one of the best defenses against the pest. Keck suggests spending a little time each day looking under leaves, around stems and in other tucked-away places of each plant’ s canopy.
“ It’ s just good to have a regular scouting regimen,” she said.“ In a small garden, that might mean a good look every day. If you have a larger garden, break up your scouting into sections of different plants each day.”
The pest can also hide in tall grass or weeds near the garden. To prevent this risk, keep the area clear of potential hiding spots.
“ If you are working hard for tomatoes, watch out for leaf-footed bugs,” Keck said.“ It’ s worth your time to protect your plants.”
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