Understanding Stink Bug Infestations: How to Protect Your Tomato Harvest

Some of Byron’s pests include stink bugs; this is a shield shaped bug known for its stench which yields its name. These pests are known to cause a lot of harm to the tomato crops, for instance, they leave it disfigured and produce far much less than what it should. Indeed as a gardener for the past five years, I have realized that stink bug infestation can sometimes be widespread if not well controlled. This is because knowledge of their behavior and the use of environmentally friendly methods of control can go a long way in ensuring that one’s yield is protected. In this blog, I am going to explain the basic steps in the control and elimination of stink bugs and also have suggested the use of Beauveria bassiana pesticide which is an organic method of controlling the stink bugs. 

Tomato Stink Bug Damage: How to Tell 

Stink bugs, including its offspring, feed on the skin of tomatoes by piercing it and, syphoning the juice from it leads to small discolored marks on the fruits. These feeding scars are not only instrumental in the channeling of the aesthetic appearance of your fruit but as will be seen also are channels that harbor secondary infections. Failure to treat the stink bugs will definitely have a very negative impact on the marketability of your tomatoes. 

These pests are usually very active especially in warm months of the year and you are likely to see them. To assess, they are usually found in the underside of the leaves meaning regular check up is very important in order to realize when they are around. This is true in case of small scale infestations, but in a situation where the numbers are high, physical ousting of these stink bugs is not enough. 

Erin H. McDonnell & William H. Hutchinson Cultural Practices for Stink Bug Management 

However, in stink bugs tomatoes control, the first line of defense is to practice cultural measures. Some ways of preventing stink bugs are clearing the garden by removing any debris and weeds so that the bug cannot hide in them. Also, you should always change the position of your crops and planting of certain crops such as sunflowers or beans that will help in protecting your tomatoes from stink bugs. 

Specifically, I use the monitoring approach in the early season as shown below. Since stink bugs are known to invade tomatoes, you have to cover your young tomato plants with other covers to block their entry. These covers should be removed when the plants start to flower so that pollination would occur. 

Biological Control: The Power of Beauveria bassiana

The effectiveness of biological control methods is ideal for those who want to adopt an environmentally friendly technique of controlling pests. For instance, Beauveria bassiana, insecticide for stink bugs on tomatoes, is a native fungus that infects stink bugs and leads to the death of the parasite. Information on, for example, Beveria WP suggests that there is a natural way of dealing with stink bugs without the use of chemical insecticides. 

The pathogen in the fungal world affects the stink bugs once it comes into contact with it since it breaks down the outer skin of the bug to affect the various body processes of the bug. Slowly and gradually the pests die while the fungus keeps on infecting the population and decreasing it. This kind of pesticide has a long residual effect and because it is friendly to human beings and other friendly insects, it is safer for use. 

Scholar Notes Concerning Beauveria bassiana 

In microbial agriculture there is a recommendation of the use of Beauveria bassiana fungi in controlling pests such as the stink bugs. From using information gathered from the University of Agriculture by Dr. Sarah Mills, it could be deduced that beauveria bassiana is ‘organic’ or environmental friendly method of pest control for crops since it only targets the insects without affecting the other beings in the environment, effective, cheap and very accessible for use by the commercial farmers and even the home gardeners. 

In general, Beauveria bassiana price is not particularly high compared to chemical insecticides, therefore, BAS is rather perfect for application of environmentally friendly methods. Beveria WP is one of such products that include this potent fungus, and it puts in your hands a safe weapon against stink bugs threatening your tomatoes. 

Conclusion 

For those tomato growers whose fields are infested with stink bugs, the good news is that the problem can be controlled if proper cultural practices and use of biological controls are practiced. Specific products such as Beveria WP which incorporates Beauveria bassiana is an effective, organic method to protect your yield. Pest control methods can also be very useful when you only care about your crop as well as the future seasons for gardening. 

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