Thermal fogging to be used against stink bug in western Georgia
Georgia continues to combat the Brown marmorated stink bug in its western regions, where starting today settlement areas will be treated using thermal fog. Photo: National Food Agency of Georgia.
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Georgia continues to combat the Brown marmorated stink bug in its western regions, where starting today settlement areas will be treated using thermal fog, announces the National Food Agency of Georgia.
Areas where corn is cultivated will be treated with low-volume spraying technology.
As of today, a total area of 37,236 hectares has been treated against the sting bug, 28,818 'attract and destroy' stations and 5,754 pheromone clamps have been installed", says the agency.
The agency says that despite the fact that the number of stink bugs has been reduced in Georgia, a new generation of the pests has been observed during this period.
The agency says it is important for farmers also to carry out anti-stink bug treatments on their own homesteads and plantations.
The pest was first reported in Georgia in 2015.
In 2016, the bugs destroyed a significant portion of the hazelnut harvest in western Georgia. 2017 was even more devastating and struck a wider area.
The Georgian experience in fighting the brown marmorated stink bug was praised at 'International Symposium on Limiting the Spread of Contaminating Pests 2020' in Sydney, Australia, says the National Food Agency earlier today.
A conference was held earlier today at the National Food Agency to discuss methods of fighting agricultural pests and preventive measures.
Georgian Prime Minister Mamuka Bakhtadze has tasked Agriculture Minister Levan Davitashvili today with solving the country’s stink bug problem and issues with agricultural funguses; two of the major challenges facing the Georgian hazelnut sector.
Specialists from Australia and New Zealand have visited Georgia to learn from its successful experience in combating stink bugs.