How to Get Rid of Leaf-Footed Bugs

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Have you noticed swarms of brown or orange bugs lingering on your fruit tree’s harvest? They may be leaf-footed bugs, which belong to the genus of true bugs, Leptoglossus. 

Leaf-footed bugs are among the most frequent insects in the southern United States. Although they are present all year round, leaf-footed bugs are most active in the spring and summer.

They don’t pose a severe threat to human health. However, they damage fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, and ornamentals while feeding on a wide range of crops. As they move from plant to plant, their piercing-sucking mouthparts enable them to ingest nutrients from the stems, plant juices, and fruits.

This post will help you recognize and eliminate leaf-footed bug infestation once and for all. 

What Is a Leaf-Footed Bug?

Leaf-footed bugs belong to the Coreidae family, which includes squash bugs and other harmful garden bugs. As the name suggests, these pests look like leaves but are brown in color. The hind legs of leaf-footed bugs are straight and shaped like the edges of leaves. The brown tones of its body and antennae range from light to dark. Adult leaf-footed bugs can grow as long as 20 mm. Some mistakenly call them “stink bugs” because they produce a foul smell when disturbed. 

Adults have long lifespans and can lay eggs for a long time. When their eggs hatch, the nymphs will emerge. The hatched nymphs will have thin legs and vividly orange-red-hued bodies. It’s common for leaf-footed bug nymphs to move in a tight cluster.

The most evident indication of an infestation is the presence of adult leaf-footed bugs and their cylindrical eggs. You may also notice shriveled, deformed, or shrunken seeds. They overwinter in weedy areas and vegetable gardens but can survive in various environments. Some of their common host plants are pomegranates, sunflowers, pistachios, ornamental plants, and garden plants. 

Leaf-Footed Bug Control

Leaf-footed bugs can be challenging to control because they congregate in alarming numbers. Getting rid of these pests is essential because they can ruin your garden if left unattended.

Below are seven ways to control a leaf-footed bug infestation:

1. Handpick them using gloves. Due to their size, you can diligently handpick them one by one and drown them in a bucket with soapy water. It’s best to hunt them at the crack of dawn or late in the evening when they are not active. Make sure to check and eliminate their eggs. For easier egg removal, you can use tape adhesive to stick them and crush them. However, you must consistently check them after a few days to prevent a recurrence.
2. Eliminate their overwintering sites. Remove the weeds and woodpiles which serve as their alternative breeding grounds. Always clean your garden. Isolate infested plants, and treat them accordingly.
3. Using row covers is also an effective preventive measure. Row covers are thin, absorbent fabrics that you can drape over garden beds. Install these floating row covers early in the spring before pests emerge. Keeping them in place as long as possible will maximize their effectiveness. If you’re growing fruiting plants like tomatoes and melons, take the covers off for a few hours. This process will allow pollinators to work their magic on your crops.
4. Use natural pesticides like neem oil. Neem oil, a highly effective natural insecticide, is created by pressing the neem tree’s seeds for their oil. Neem oil is effective against most insect species but may not be effective against soft-bodied nymphs. Additionally, avoid using it on plants that are in bloom because it will wither them.
5. Go organic. Organic insecticidal soap sprays are effective against leaf-footed bugs. However, because these are also general-purpose insecticides, you should be careful when using them around pollinators and other beneficial insects.
6. Rely on nature. Just let nature take care of things by allowing beneficial insects like spiders and tachinid flies to live in your garden. These garden pests provide tasty treats for predatory birds and insects at various stages of their life cycles. Alternatively, try ordering and releasing assassin bugs into your garden to take advantage of this. They will gladly take care of your pest problem. You can also use tiny wasps to kill leaf-footed bugs’ eggs before they hatch. 
7. Get professional pest control. If all else fails, the best and last resort is to get a professional pest control service’s assistance to eradicate a leaf-footed bug infestation. Look for a leaf-footed bug control company that uses safe or organic methods. Call them for a price quote, and examine their reviews. Hiring a pest control company like PestGuide is the most suitable option for those who lack the time and energy to deal with pest management.