HOW TO TREAT HARLEQUIN BUGS IN THE GARDEN ^ Harlequin bugs in the garden can be controlled using MULTI PURPOSE INSECT KILLER. Although beautiful, this bug is treacherous, making harlequin bug control a vital part of vegetable garden management. Conclusions for garden scale control of harlequin bugs. There are many helpful bugs in the garden that put a spring in the step of any gardener lucky enough to have them as guests, but the red and black harlequin bug is not among them. Pay attention as soon as you see one single bug. Trap Crops – you can use your Brassica crops to trap bugs in a concentrated area. Both in home gardens and commercial fields, harlequin bugs can spread infestation, making it a significant concern amongst gardeners and growers. It is very partial to cleome, an annual flower. This pest is most often found on cabbage family members (broccoli, cauliflower, collards, kale, horseradish, etc.) Beetles: although some are pests, many others such as ground beetles and bombardier beetles are great assets in our garden. This concentrate is approved for organic gardening and yet is still strong enough to penetrate the harlequins tough outer shell. Keep your garden and surrounding area free of debris/weeds all year long. With this, knowing how to get rid of harlequin bugs is necessary to avoid excessive damages. Harlequin bug (Murgantia histrionica) Photo: Dr. Mike Raupp. It is a true bug (has a triangular shaped thorax) and sucks leaf sap leaving small white spots known as stipples. Harlequin bugs are difficult to control, so be proactive. Throw a bag or tarp over the bug-infested plant and remove it. Harlequin bugs are clever and can move quickly to the underside of leaves out of your way, so work quickly. Debris/weeds will provide habitat for the bugs during the season and protection for bugs over the winter. Their appearance might seem attractive, but they can wreak havoc that is beyond what you can imagine. They prey as larvae and adults on such things as caterpillars, cutworms, march flies, nematodes, fruit fly larvae, slugs, snails, thrips, aphids, ant, termites and grasshopper eggs.