Stinkbugs

There are a couple of bugs that are becoming a real pest again this Fall in some areas. They are looking for a nice warm, dry place to spend the winter. One of them is the Brown Mamorated Stink Bug (BMSB). This bug looks really fierce and smells even worse when disturbed or squashed. This bug is dark brown to gray and about 1/4" long. It came here from China in 1990 and is much more aggressive than our native specie.

There is no effective insecticide labeled to control this critter and they can be very devastating to some ag crops, like soybeans and corn. In addition they are known to feed on fruit trees. USDA is interested in finding out why some of us will see 100's if not 1,000's of these critters in our yard or neighborhood while others may not see many at all. Here is an excellent website for short videos and more information. http://www.stopbmsb.org/video If you find that you have massive amounts of BMSB (it is not an insect) in your area you may want to be ready to participate in one of the surveys. We have a native stink bug to the USA but this relative from Asia is a real "stinker". They attack more than 170 different plant species, and prefer to eat many of the same foods as humans, especially beans, garden vegetables, and tree fruit. It is a threat to commercial agriculture, landscape ornamentals, and backyard gardens.

They will enter your home for winter shelter through a crevice as small as 1/6". So get the caulk gun out and check around window and door frames for small cracks that may allow this bug to enter your home and/or allow the cold to penetrate, too. If you get a few of these critters in your home you might be tempted to use your vacuum cleaner to suck them up but think again, your vacuum may stink for a while after the bugs are gone.

One of the best ways to control stink bugs is to eliminate all cracks where they can enter your attic or around windows and doors. Sticky traps are fairly effective once they enter the house. They do not bite, multiply or harm anything indoors so the traps might be the answer if you see them indoors. Eliminate as many as possible to reduce populations next year.

There are 2 chemicals that are deterrents for stinkbugs one is Bayer's Suspend SC and the other is Temprid SC. Use either around the perimeter of your home and always follow the label directions. These chemicals can be purchased on line.

Next we'll have to be ordering some Cross Spiders to catch these pests!

Go to meadowview.com or send an email to info@meadowview.com with your question or comments.

30 years of Growing
Meadow View Growers
New Carlisle, OH
www.meadowview.com

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