Protect your garden from leaf-footed bugs

  • CATCH LEAF-FOOTED BUGS at the nymph stage to reduce damage to fruit and the chance of a larger infestation. Photo courtesy of Herman Auer/Texas Master Gardener
    CATCH LEAF-FOOTED BUGS at the nymph stage to reduce damage to fruit and the chance of a larger infestation. Photo courtesy of Herman Auer/Texas Master Gardener

    Homegrown tomato lovers, beware. A sneaky pest may be lurking in your garden, which could be why your fruit turns tough, blemished or completely inedible. Leaf-footed bugs are appearing in gardens across the South, and they’re especially drawn to tomatoes.

    Molly Keck, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service integrated pest management specialist in Bexar County, said now is the time for Texas garde…