Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Controlling stinkbugs

    During the water stage of nut development, pecans seem to become especially attractive to stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs. Stink bug feeding at his time of year causes nut drop. In a couple of weeks when the nuts stage into the gel stage, stink bug feeding will leave a black spot on the surface of the kernel.
    As part of our annual pest management program, I apply an insecticide at water stage to control kernel feeding bugs. Today we applied Warrior II, a synthetic pyrethroid that is formulated to remain active for at least 2 weeks.  This spray will also control any pecan weevils that may have emerged up through the cracks of out drought parched soil.