Question
We live in north central Arkansas near Mountain Home and have a large garden.  This season the stink bugs have overran and killed the cucumbers, zuchinni and winter squash.  And they have damaged our tomatoes and nearly everything else.  How can we control them for next year?  It is too late for this year but will anything stop them before they do damage again next season?

Thank you.
Dave

Answer
Dave, you can start by covering the plants with reemay when they are young. Reemay is a material much like the sheer linings you will find behind curtains. It is very thin, lets air and water in, but keeps the bugs out. It is often sold in garden centers under as row covers.

Once the plant begins blooming, you will need to remove the covers to allow the bees to pollinate the plant. You should then spray or dust the plants once every 10 days with either rotenone or pyrethrum. Both are organic pesticides that are derivatives of plants and are non-toxic to humans and pets. They are completely organic and can be applied up to the day before harvesting. You can purchase these at most garden centers or as a combination product through Planet Natural or Gardens Alive. Attached is a link for your convenience.

http://www.planetnatural.com/site/rotenone-pyrethrin.html

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike