Gene Miyao, UCCE farm advisor for processing tomatoes in the Sacramento Valley, says pest pressures had accelerated by mid-July, though not unexpectedly.

“We’re seeing a fair amount of russet mite activity that has flared up in the last few weeks. Stinkbug has popped up in several fields, which is not unusual for this time of year.”

Miyao says stinkbug control is difficult because the pest migrates out of the vines and spends a good portion of its time on the soil surface or slightly below ground, making contact difficult. Monitor has been the “go-to material” for stinkbugs in processing tomatoes, but he says growers need to check with their processor before applying because some canneries have restrictions on the pesticide.