OH NO ! STINK BUGS !!!!

Garden Caregarden TriviaPlant Health CareUncategorized
Written By Peter Morris

THE ADULTS

 

Common brown stink bug

 This crop pest of China was introduced into Pennsylvania by accident in 1998, and has spread throughout the Northeast. The name “stink bug” refers to glands on the abdomen.  When disturbed or if crushed the insect will release a potent and unpleasant odor – like potent skunk smell ! 

DAMAGE

 It is a nuisance pest both indoors and out. It pierces and damages fruit and new shoots on most plants.  Adult stink bugs cause significant damage as they eat fruit and vegetables and can quickly decimate an orchard or garden.  Their bite releases toxic saliva that causes a scar on the fruit making it unsuitable for sale. 

Adults piercing and eating fruit

 

EGGS

 Eggs are elliptical, light yellow, with minute spines. Adults emerge in late April, mate and lay eggs.  These hatch into black nymphs and go through five molts then begin to search for over wintering sites in fall. 

Egg cases and recently hatched babies !

 

FALL

 During the fall, they try to get indoors where they hide in warm places during winter and await spring. Infestations can become overwhelming if not addressed promptly and continuously.Once inside, they will settle down in wall voids, crawl spaces, and other hard-to-reach areas to wait out the colder weather. They will  cause quite a stink when you try to kill them or vacuum them up.  

TREATMENT

 Several treatments are recommended in gardens where a history of problems exists. It is best to get them when they are small.  Some organic products are available to treat this pest, but usually stronger products are required, especially as they grow larger.  In NY state - insects already inside the house have to be treated by an exterminator. 

If you see any in your garden - Call Plant Specialists TODAY !

We have experts that know what to do !

We have NYSDEC licensed applicators whom can treat them too !!!

Don't delay – the sooner the better !

 

GREENING NEW YORK FOR OVER 51 YEARS !

   Article written by our Staff Horticulturist, Peter B Morris, BSc, MSc, MBAAll photographs used with permission @SHUTTERSTOCK  

Peter Morris

Peter was born and raised on a beautiful green island in the midst of a tropical rainforest. He was introduced into the world of plants at the age of six when his grandmother, an avid Spanish gardener herself, asked him to help her grow seeds for her pepper garden. He was hooked! By the time he was a teen, he had his own rose and orchid collection numbering in the hundreds. Botany was in his blood, and that is what he set out to study.

His passion brought him to NY in the late seventies to further his education. His tenacity allowed him to work full time at Plant Specialists while he completed a MS in Plant Biology. As a manager at the time he felt unsatisfied with his knowledge of business and business processes. Peter felt compelled to learn, so he then pursued and completed an MBA in Quality Management within a few short years.

Peter’s other passion is teaching. His natural ability is quickly consumed by our staff in all subjects in Botany, Horticulture, and Landscaping. He created an immense reference library of more than 3,500 plants providing an invaluable resource for our staff.

Peter’s breadth of knowledge and wisdom allows him to effectively diagnose the needs of plants. Sometimes just by walking into a garden he can create a prescription that fixes even the hardest issue. He is our Staff Botanist, Diagnostician, and all around Mentor. Recently, he has put his immense knowledge and skills into developing a new department that focuses on Plant Healthcare. As he puts it, “Magic through Science”. The PHC staff that surround him have avidly consumed his teachings. Substantially developing their own plant wisdom, many have taken on difficult plant health issues with spectacular results.

Plant Healthcare has been an instant success with customers! The proper treatment of insects and diseases including Organic methods has made pest control a necessity for every plant. Correcting hormonal imbalances caused by planting in containers or refurbishing soils leached of nutrients by irrigation systems are big challenges PHC has become quite comfortable addressing. The scientific approach to the complex demands of keeping plants healthy in our harsh city environment has made many a customer say WOW!

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