6 Stripe Bugs - Ask Extension
Last summer, our butterfly bushes suffered severely from an infestation of 6 stripe bugs. I contacted this department who told me the only time to tr...
Knowledgebase
6 Stripe Bugs #740983
Asked March 26, 2021, 6:35 PM EDT
Last summer, our butterfly bushes suffered severely from an infestation of 6 stripe bugs. I contacted this department who told me the only time to treat for them is when they are in nymph stage because otherwise we risk harming beneficial insects like bees and butterflies. The recommended treatment then was an insecticidal soap in the spring. We live in Traverse City and I noticed this week, because of the unseasonably warm weather, the butterfly bushes are just started to leaf out. Should I apply the insecticide soap now? Wait a while? Looking for the best solution.
Leelanau County Michigan
Expert Response
An insecticidal soap will only work if the insects are present- they need to be wetted by the liquid spray in order to kill them. Once the spray dries on the plants, it has to impact on the insects; spraying before the insects are present is of no value.
Nice succinct answer. Thank you for this clarity.
Now, do you have any guidance in what time frame these nymphs might hatch given the current weather?
On Mar 29, 2021, at 8:34 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:
I really don't have much to go on for guessing the time to expect this insect. I have never had to deal with it myself. This years bouncing weather patterns are going to mess up a lot of the typical dates for the activity of insects.
