Comments on: Stinkbugs

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:55:43 +0000

Thanks Lyn, I know for a fact that they are not “hiding’ on the base of the tree as this is largely uncovered. There could be some in the foliage as it is a rather dense tree…..
Over the last few weeks I have picked off a few more, say about 5 a week, but this week I have only seen 1 or 2 (could be the same one, I couldn’t reach it) so I am hopeful that I did get them all before they managed to lay (many) eggs. Hopefully we prevented them from mating too….. Do you know when the eggs can become visible? I’ll have to prune the tree this year so will clean it as well.
I tried to get a photo of the eggs to show you, but no luck. The eggs are laid on the underside of leaves anytime from mid-summer to autumn. They are round, about 3mm in diameter, and laid in 4 rows. Each female lays up to 14 eggs. Young nymphs are usually found on the underside of lower leaves during winter, so the eggs are probably laid under lower leaves, too. – Lyn

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 02:02:34 +0000

We have had them on our orange tree and I have gone at them with tongs and long-nosed pliers when they were still green and orange. We got most of them but there now are still a few black ones that “got away”.
So the chances are they will have mated and laid eggs, do you know when these can be seen and removed?
Also, do you know when the few remaining adults will die off?

Chris, they lay eggs from mid-summer to autumn. The post above says they die off when temperatures are high and humidity is low. If you can’t see them now, they may be hiding around the base of the tree. – Lyn

By: Sandra

Sandra — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:46:52 +0000

In the last month I have had a large amount of stink bugs on my orange tree .Rather than picking them off I use an old vaccuum cleaner with a disposable paper bag and suck the critters off. Then whilst the vac is still running I spray some insect spray into the nozzle to kill them. With the extension pole on I can reach all over the tree. This way I don’t risk getting any of their spray on me. Every few days I check for the odd one but this method seems to work quite well.-Sandra

By: greenfumb

greenfumb — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:28:29 +0000

It is amazing, it’s almost like you knew I had a question. Last year I stayed home for 2 weeks in October while hubby and kids went to the UK to visit rellies. The whole time was spent picking stink bugs off my beloved orange tree, and I’m not joking – hours every day.

This year I have not seen a single one, I’ve smelt them when the lawn mower goes under the tree but no sight at all. The only explanation can be as you suggested, adequate watering as we have had a lot of rain this year. Fascinating ( and a great relief)

By: Tamara

Tamara — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 04:51:54 +0000

I have used a similar organic approach, however instead of metho I use hot soapy water. It seams to help the bugs drown. Then I wrap the dead bugs in newspaper and throw them in the sulo bin to have them removed from my property because I heard that if I put them in the compost they mave still have eggs on them to reproduce. Is this likely?
It is quite possible that they might contain viable eggs Tamara. Pests should never be put into compost. Hot soapy water would be a suitable alternative to metho, if it kills the bugs. – Lyn

By: Cornelius

Cornelius — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:12:44 +0000

Valuable thoughts and advices. I read your topic with great interest.

By: Helen Buchanan

Helen Buchanan — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 22:07:30 +0000

What is the first aid to stink bug secretion to the eye?
I can’t find anything about specific treatments for this problem Helen, but I would immediately flush the eye with lots of tepid water to dilute the secretion. If there is any resulting inflammation, probably your doctor will be able to prescribe suitable drops or ointment to repair the damage. It is very wise to wear sunglasses or goggles when treating pest problems as there are several pests that release secretions as a form of defense. Hope this helps. – Lyn