How concerned should I be about a wide infestation of Four Lined Plant Bugs? - Ask Extension
I have an infestation of Four Lined Plant Bugs. They are on my Monarda, Burning Bushes, and several other plants. From what I read on the extention s...
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How concerned should I be about a wide infestation of Four Lined Plant Bugs? #872529
Asked June 10, 2024, 9:57 PM EDT
I have an infestation of Four Lined Plant Bugs. They are on my Monarda, Burning Bushes, and several other plants. From what I read on the extention site, the plants can be cut down at the end of the season and do not harm the plant. Knowing they are also on my bushes, should I treat them with an insecticide. I really hesitate to do this, but worry about my garden's ongoing health. I have not seen them in the past and my gardens are many years old. Should I just wait it out this year and hope for the best next year?
Thanks!
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
They can really be pests when they are present in sufficient numbers. You can try an insecticidal soap and if necessary, resort to chemical controls because you have an invasion. Examples of contact residual insecticides are: bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and permethrin. Remember. to remove leaf litter and the plant itself in the fall so that eggs won't remain and re-emerge next year.
Here is an article on the insects, including suggestions for control:https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/plant-bugs/tarnished-and-four-lined-plant-bugs
Good luck in controlling them.
Here is an article on the insects, including suggestions for control:https://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/gardens-gardening/your-garden/help-for-the-home-gardener/advice-tips-resources/insects-pests-and-problems/insects/plant-bugs/tarnished-and-four-lined-plant-bugs
Good luck in controlling them.
Hello.
Thank you so much for your response. I was given some Captain Jack’s Dead Bug containing Spinosad at Bachman’s as a remedy. The person at Gerten’s confirmed that this was an insecticidal soap. Is that true?
Since sending I am realizing that I have quite a problem. It is on my perennials and my hydrangea bushes. I have only sprayed a few of them to date as I need to get more of the above product. Wonder if I should stay the course with this product or move to something else. Also, I know I can cut the perennials down this fall, but what will I need to do to the bushes.
I am including some pictures of the Four Line Plant Bug, but also a small fly that is on many of the plants.
Thank you so much for the guidance.
Laurie Wenker
It is not a horticultural soap but is a naturally-derived insecticide that can be effective against garden pests. You might try this on all of your infected plants and see if this solves your problem. The other insect looks like a calligrapher fly, a beneficial insect.
Hello.
I have a follow up question about my infestation of Four Lined Plant Bug. I am cutting all of the plants infected by the infestation now that it is the end of the season. Can I put the cuttings in a compost bag and send them to my city composting site? Just want to make sure I am disposing of them properly.
I also have some Creeping Bell Flowers. Can I compost them in the same way?
Many thanks, Laurie
Sent from my iPhone
On Jun 19, 2024, at 5:02 PM, Ask Extension wrote:
Thanks for asking about this. Please don't compost any of the plants infested by the four-lined plant bug or your creeping bellflower. There is no assurance that composting temperatures will be high enough to destroy the pest or the seeds. Destroy them in some other fashion, such as burning.
