The best idea is to identify the bug by scientific name and then look up how to deal with them. There might be a better method if you know just what they are.

Dish soap and insecticidal soap are not interchangeable, although some dish soap may kill some insects without harming some plants. Did your sprayed bugs take off, or fall off?

Rain tree Bug IS the universally recognized common name for this particular insect....much like the Boxelder Bug to whom they are closely related.

Peabody, these insects aren't usually "controlled " on the trees because they don't feed on anything but the ripened seeds. (Also like the boxelder bugs.) They do tend to congregate on the outside of our homes, however....and try to get inside.

Where are these critters hanging out?

P.S. purple is right on target about dish soap versus real insecticidal soap.

This post was edited by rhizo_1 on Thu, Mar 21, 13 at 12:08

I wish "my" oak tree would get an acorn-eating bug. Thanks, Rhizo!!

Good wish there, Purple! There are a lot of golden rain trees around me, I'm always pulling up seedlings, but nothing seems to bother them. Could you send me some bugs, Peabody?