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