THE NOTORIOUS STINK BUG
By now just about everyone has had some experience with the stink bug... the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug to be exact. They are not native to this country, but the stink bug has certainly moved in and taken over. They are obnoxious and they are everywhere! And just about everyone wants to know how to get rid of the Stink Bug!
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What Are Stink Bugs?
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is recognizable by the standard "shield" shape of other stink bugs. They are about an inch long with shades of brown all over. White bands are visible on their antennae and a darker brown color appears where their wings overlap.
The Stink Bug emerges in the spring time to mate and lay eggs. In warm conditions, two or three generations could be produced. In the fall, the adult bugs begin to look for places to overwinter (find a place to survive the winter months). They will congregate in warm places to live through the cold months, so if they are living inside your home it is likely that they will still be there in the spring.
Where did the Stink Bug come from and why are they such a problem?
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug is native to Asia, yet they've made the journey in some way and found refuge in many states in the U.S. First detected in Pennsylvania in 1998, they have continued to move south enjoying warmer climates but have also been spotted in areas like Maine. These nuisance bugs have shown themselves in alarming numbers in areas of Virginia.
Unfortunately, there are no known predators to feed on these pests so their numbers don't particularly decrease. Some of you have had to face the stink bugs swarming by the thousands on the exterior of your homes. Then as if that wasn't enough, these pests find their way inside to buzz loudly around your lamps and show up unexpectedly in your kitchens and bedrooms where they seem to purposefully hitch a ride on your clothes or in your hair.
Stink Bug Control
If you have been overwhelmed by the Stink Bug population and want help in getting rid of Stink Bugs, Eco-Pro can help. We have the knowledge and ability to control your Stink Bug problem.
Although not widely reported, there have been recent advances in fighting these pests. We have been studying these methods and know that Eco-Pro can effectively protect your home.
Give Eco-Pro a call today and we can check for entry points that the Stink Bug can be using to gain entry to your home and fix any issues that we find. We can set you up on a program that will have the exterior of your home treated regularly. Soon you can see a major reduction in the Stink Bugs around your home.
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How does the Stink Bug survive?
The Stink Bug has become an agricultural problem pest. They have been reported to munch on apples, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus fruits, blackberries, sweet and field corn, soybeans, lima beans, tomatoes, green peppers, and some ornamental plants. Major orchard crop damages have been reported.
They deter other bugs, birds and animals from eating them by emitting a foul odor, thus the name Stink Bug. They have two areas containing scent glands and when threatened they will use them. Their smell has been compared to that of animal feces or even rotten cilantro.
Aaaa! The Stink Bug is coming inside!
They don't pose a threat to humans. But as we've already established they can be very annoying and then alarming when in large quantities. They will attract other insects to your home and can get inside your home in a variety of ways so it's best to try and prevent their entry. They need only a very thin area to squeeze through, so check to see if your windows and doors are properly sealed and look for small cracks and possible entry points around utility connections, exterior vents and water spigots. If you find any cracks, apply some caulking or hire a professional to help.
To remove the bugs already inside, grab them in some toilet paper and flush them. If that's not something you want to do, then vacuuming them up is your best bet. Preferably, use a vacuum with a bag so once they are sucked up they go into the bag and then the bag can be completely removed from the home. When sucking them up with the bagless vacuums that have the cyclone action, be prepared for a mess inside the container. With either vacuum, be prepared for the odor especially when vacuuming large quantities, but you may decide the stink is worth dealing with when you can rid your home of hundreds of these stinky pests.
Stink Bug Control - Getting rid of those Stink Bugs!
For many years there hasn't been any treatment effective against these little beasts. Even the pest control professionals have been perplexed in the task of getting rid of Stink Bugs. Recently there have been advances in fighting the Stink Bug, although not widely reported. There are chemicals on the market available for consumers to try and battle the bugs on their own. The Virginia Cooperative Extension recommends to "avoid treating stink bugs you cannot reach with the vacuum with insecticide. If the stink bugs die inside the wall-voids or attic, their dead bodies may attract carpet beetles and other pests that feed on the carcasses and could lead to infestations of these pests." Really, it's just best to call an exterminator for your Stink Bug control needs.
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ECO-PRO Termite & Pest Control, LLC
PO Box 1876 Winchester, VA 22604
Office: 540-722-0009 Fax: 540-722-0045
Email: office@goeco-pro.com