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Box Elder Bugs in Tomatoes

apple20
17 years ago

My tomato patch is infested with Box Elder Bugs. They are in the mulch in the hundreds. A new batch of babies has just hatched out. First of all, why are they there? Will they do any harm to the tomatoes and, what will eat them?

Comment (1)

  • username_5
    17 years ago

    Perhaps they overwintered in the mulch and are emerging now. My *guess* is they will move on soon. They generally feed on box elder trees, but have been observed sucking the leaves of other trees when their prefered source isn't plentiful.

    I haven't heard of them bothering tomatos. Are you seeing any leaf damage? If not consider monitoring the plants and doing nothing.

    If you need to eradicate them insecticidal soap is extremely effective.

    Maybe just go rake the mulch around to see if that persuades them to move on otherwise my guess is they are getting ready to move out all on their own soon.