Stink Bug Damage

• In their native habitat, stink bugs feed on a variety of plants; however, since being accidentally introduced into the United States, stink bugs opportunistically feed on agricultural crops. Along with apples, stink bugs feed and damage fleshy fruits and veggies such as peaches and corn. In the process of feeding, stink bugs, bruise the flesh and meat of the produce, which initiates the biodegrading process of picked and unpicked produce earlier than under optimal conditions.
  
  

Effects On Market Produce

• Once produce has been damaged by stink bugs they are no longer marketable as fresh products. As a result, all damaged fruit must be sold as by-products. Although damaged apples can be processed into by-products such as apple sauce, cider and canned apples, the damage and early decay as result of the stink bug reduces post-harvest holding times and affects flavor. Therefore stink bugs have the ability to devastate entire crops, resulting in financial loss to the grower.
  
  

Hobby Orchards

• Private orchards and apple growers can also suffer losses. While a few stink bugs are normal, large populations should be quickly managed. Good soil management techniques, proper irrigation and choosing crops that are best suited for the surrounding environmental conditions are effective and organic methods of controlling sting bug populations. Botanical pesticides currently being used to control stink bug populations are "neem" extracts, pyrethrum as well as vegetable and mineral oil. However, while botanical pesticides can be used on organic produce, these insecticides are fatal to beneficial insects as well.
  
  

Commercial Orchards

• Because stink bugs can create such damaging effects on produce, university agricultural research teams have quickly produced effective methods of control. Pesticide use is the most common means of control, and while there are others that can also be used, some pesticides currently known to be effective are cyhalothrin- and cypermethrin-based products. When using pesticides on human-grade foods, check with local agricultural offices to find out what types of pesticides are most effective in that particular area.