Think the Stink Bug has Vanished? Think Again

Cooler weather, football and apple cider are synonymous with fall, but for homeowners, stink bugs have become another sign of the changing seasons.

Unusually cold and rainy weather may have kept some stink bugs away, but they’re still showing up in yards by the hundreds.

"I think we're in for a big season this year," says Mike Raupp, professor of entomology at the University of Maryland. "We expect this may be as bad - or as significant - as the year 2010, which was the breakout year for these stink bugs around here."

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) says we are likely to start seeing these smelly pests hanging on curtains, lampshades, screens and other objects inside homes in the coming months.

“The number of adult stink bugs increase during September and October which makes it critical to capture them now, before they migrate to overwintering sites,” says Dr. Qing-He Zhang, lead scientist and director of research at Sterling International Inc., developers of RESCUE!® Stink Bug Traps.  

“In the early fall, stink bug adults intensively feed on high energy foods such as fruits, seeds, leaves and even tree trunks to obtain the strength needed for hibernation,” says Dr. Zhang. “As food sources dry up and daylight hours wane, the bugs search for shelter to overwinter.”

According to Virginia Cooperative Extension entomologist Chris Bergh, “There seems to be a very tight window during which these bugs start moving from their feeding sites to overwintering sites.”

With no effective natural enemies, stink bugs have been discovered in 40 states to this point – most recently in Oregon and Utah.

“Homes are prime targets,” says Dr. Zhang. “If you’ve seen one, you can be sure there are hundreds more waiting to come inside. You need to stop them in their tracks and break the stink bug life cycle before they come indoors to hibernate.”

So, how can you stop these pesky bugs in their tracks? Scientists recommend the following tips for preventing and dealing with stink bugs:

1.                   Seal off entry points: Inspect the outside of your home for easy access points. Pay close attention to areas around siding and window air-conditioner utility pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the fascia or other openings. Use silicone caulk to seal any cracks and holes.

2.                   Replace and repair: Check for damaged window or door screens and for torn weather-stripping and loose mortar.

3.                   Trap them before they come indoors:  To catch the stink bugs in the fall before they move inside, hang a trap - like the RESCUE!®Stink Bug Trap - at eye level from a tree branch, stake or pole about 15-20 feet from the house.

4.                   Turn off the lights: Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum. During the evenings, turn off porch lights and pull down window blinds to prevent light from spilling outside.

5.                   Ventilate: Properly ventilate basements, attics, garages and crawl spaces to eliminate harborage points. Consider using a dehumidifier in these areas.

6.                   Think before squishing: When disturbed or crushed, stink bugs have a tendency to release a bad-smelling odor as a defense measure. Instead, pick them up with a tissue and flush them down the toilet. Do not throw them back outside. They will just turn around and come right back in. 

When stink bugs invade the indoors in colder weather, they really raise a stink. Just ask Raupp, “We're going to see large numbers of stink bugs collecting on the sides of people's homes and then trying to move indoors.”

Myths and Truths about Bugs!

Yellowjackets and Wasps

Myth #1: Bounce fabric softener sheets repel yellowjackets (or mosquitoes).

Wrong! The facts: A scientific study in 2010 set out to evaluate this claim. The conclusion was that the dryer sheets repelled fungus gnats – a common insect pest of greenhouse-grown crops – but there is no quantitative data to prove that they repel mosquitoes, or yellowjackets, or any common pest of humans. Director of R&D for RESCUE!®, Dr. Qing-He Zhang says that it is highly unlikely that yellowjackets would be repelled by the perfume-y smell of the dryer sheets; they may actually be attracted to it because of the flower-like odor.

Myth #2: Yellowjackets leave a stinger behind when they sting a victim.

Wrong! The facts: The only stinging species that does is the honey bee. Wasps, yellowjackets, and hornets do not leave behind a stinger – in fact, they can sting multiple times. They also bite the skin to get a better grip when they sting you.

Myth #3: A fake wasp nest repels wasps, because they are territorial.

Wrong! The facts: The fake nest in question, which several manufacturers have brought to market, is round, with one opening at the bottom. It actually resembles a bald-faced hornet nest and not a wasp nest. Through knowledge and observation of this social insect’s behavior, we know that wasps will often build nests in close proximity to each other. And sometimes if a wasp nest has been abandoned, a new queen will take over that nest. This fake wasp nest will also not deter hornets or yellowjackets, since they will most often build nests in sheltered locations.  (Wouldn’t you rather catch these insects in a trap where you can see the body count?)

Myth #4: Taping a copper penny over a sting will provide overnight relief from redness and swelling.

Wrong! The facts: There is no scientific evidence that the copper will counteract the effects of a sting, as it’s never been clinically tested. If someone is experiencing an allergic reaction, a better treatment is to do the following:

·         Wash the wound with soap and water to remove venom

·         Apply cold water, ice in a wet cloth, or a paste of meat tenderizer and water

·         Take a pain reliever or antihistamine to reduce swelling

·         Apply a calamine product to reduce itching

·         Lie down.

·         Lower the stung arm or leg below the heart.

·         Don’t drink alcohol or take sedatives.

If there is a severe allergic reaction where there is significant swelling, difficulty breathing or dizziness, medical attention should be sought immediately.

Flies

Myth #1:  A plastic bag full of water and pennies repels flies.

Wrong! The facts: This myth attributes mammal-like characteristics to an insect. Flies are supposedly scared off at the large amount of water or their own magnified reflections. The truth is that whatever a fly is seeking – food, garbage, or a dirty place to land – trumps any possibility of being repelled by some water in a bag.

Stink Bugs

Myth #1: Stink bugs bite.

Wrong! The facts: Stink bugs can't bite humans. Their mouthpieces resemble more of a straw-like mechanism, which is how they pierce fruit and vegetables and suck out their juices.

Myth #2: Crushing stink bugs and releasing their stink will attract more stink bugs.

Wrong! The facts: Stink bugs do have a pheromone that can cause them to gather in large groups, but that is not the same scent that is released when they are crushed.

Myth No. 3: Stink bugs can come in through your sewer lines or toilets.

Wrong! The facts: Stink bugs are not aquatic. If you see one in your sink, it is a coincidence, and if it is in your toilet, it probably fell in accidentally.

Myth No. 4: Stink bugs lay eggs in your house.

Wrong! The facts: Stink bugs only lay eggs outdoors so that their young will have food readily available.

Myth No. 5: Stink bugs will freeze outdoors in the winter and die.

Wrong! The facts: Stink bugs have survived winters in Allentown, Pa., since the mid-1990s. Some may die, but most find good hiding places to wait out the worst of winter.

Myth No. 6: Stink bugs can cut holes through window screens.

Wrong! The facts: Their mouthparts are incapable of cutting screens. They are capable, however, of crawling through the smallest crevices in a window.

Japanese Beetles

Myth #1: Traps lure Japanese beetles from miles around.

Wrong! The facts: Most attractants lure beetles from no more than 200 yards, says Dr. Klein. The beetles, however, are strong fliers and travel several miles, touching down at random intervals to see what's available for a meal.  If your yard looks attractive, they will come in for a landing on your plants – unless you have a trap to intercept them. The traps only lure beetles that are already in flight near the yard. The one place traps could be a problem is around the edge of a golf course or other large turf area, Dr. Klein says, but not in your average yard.

Myth #2: Traps make the problem worse by luring more beetles than they catch.

Wrong! The facts: This is the biggest misconception in beetle history.  The problem occurs when traps are placed incorrectly.  If next to a rose bush, a large number of beetles will be lured to that area, and some may land on the roses rather than in the trap.

·         Trap placement is critical. Don’t place the traps next to ornamental plants. Set traps about 30 feet from tasty plants to lure the beetles away. It’s best to place them next to a non-flowering tree or shrub, such as a pine tree or boxwood, which is not attractive to the beetles.

·         Enlist your neighbors to battle the beetles, too. Traps are effective in one yard alone, but when neighbors band together and put out traps in their yards, the overall beetle numbers are greatly reduced. Consider it a “neighborhood watch” for garden invaders!

Myth #3: Pesticides are safe to use on Japanese beetles.

So Wrong! The facts: Insecticides work on adult beetles, but they also kill beneficial pollinators, like bees.  Traps offer safe and “green” alternatives to chemical sprays targeting these bugs. Lure traps provide a visible means of combating a Japanese beetle problem without having a negative effect on the environment.

The Great Stink Bug Awakening

Stink bugs have had a busy month.  The USDA named them the top invasive species in America and scientists predict that the pungent pests will reach record numbers in 2013. The time is at hand to fight stink bugs. 

Rod Schneidmiller, president of Sterling International, developer of the RESCUE!® Stink Bug Traps advises that early action is critical to break the stink bug life cycle. 

“Stink bugs live to eat and mate outdoors in spring and summer,” he says “It is important to start using your trap outdoors by April 1 in order to catch the emerging adults before they multiply. Over time, this will reduce their numbers so the amount that could potentially get in the house next fall drops dramatically.” 

To combat the stink bug invasion, Sterling International scientists developed the RESCUE!^® Stink Bug Trap to lure, capture and destroy these pests. It’s the only solution that works both indoors and outdoors, based on the stink bug life cycle and behavior in each environment:

Indoors: Two factors cause stink bugs to wake up from hibernation: when the stored food in their bodies is depleted, or when outdoor temperatures rise. The latter makes them think it’s spring, and if it isn’t yet, they will follow the heat sources to the warmer living areas of the house. The RESCUE! ^® Stink Bug Trap can be used with the Stink Bug Light attachment in the attic to catch stink bugs as they wake from their winter sleep.

Outdoors: Stink bugs eat, mate and lay eggs. They ONLY do these things outdoors. The RESCUE! ^® Stink Bug Trap is used outdoors with the pheromone attractants to catch both adult and juvenile stink bugs during spring, summer and early fall. Consistent use of the trap outdoors, starting in spring, is the best way to stay on top of the stink bug problem. 

Read more about how to stop stink bugs here. Visit www.rescue.com for a list of retailers near you and follow RESCUE!^® on Facebook.

Experts Share Eco-friendly Tips to Protect Homes from Pesky Fall Bugs

Fall’s cool, crisp weather is an ideal time to plant and prepare the home and landscape for next spring. While tending chores outdoors, pesky insects are heading indoors ahead of Old Man Winter, seeking food sources and warm, safe places to hibernate.
 
Home Invaders. Unwelcome invasive pests like silverfish, spiders, earwigs, flies and ants are typical party crashers once temperatures fall.

To protect a home from unwanted fall pests, industry experts share these simple eco-friendly tips to keep pesky insects at bay:.

1. Clean up brush and keep mulch and firewood piles and move them away from the house to avoid creating habitats for critters and insects

2. Seal up cracks, crevices and holes with caulk or weather stripping around potential entry points and seal around pipes and utilities. Repair loose roof tiles and screens. Inspect windows and basement foundations and repair loose and crumbling mortar.

3. Clean cupboard shelves from loose grain, starch-based and sugary food and place food in sealed containers or plastic bags.

4. Check where stink bugs hide in warm, dark spaces like baseboards, exhaust fans, ceiling tiles and drapes. Pick stink bugs off by hand with a tissue and flush them down a toilet or drop into a bucket of soapy water. If you vacuum, be warned. When threatened, stink bugs emit a foul odor so dispose the bags immediately.

New traps help battle stink bugs without the need to touch them. Zhang explains, “Once you see the bugs clinging to the side of the house or screens, this is a signal that they are ready to get indoors to hibernate and more may be coming towards the home. The RESCUE!® Stink Bug trap uses non-toxic pheromone attractants that lures stink bugs from a radius of 30 feet, intercepting them before they reach the house.”

The RESCUE!® Stink Bug Trap can also be used indoors with an LED light attachment. It works best when stink bugs start waking up from hibernation – usually January through April.

5. If ants are your problem, try herbs. Briscoe White, herb expert and owner of The Growers Exchange, says bay leaves, cinnamon and cloves repel ants outdoors and indoors. Sprinkle dry crushed herbs around points of entry, cabinets and windowsills to create a natural barrier. Plus, peppermint and spearmint are excellent deterrents against both ants and moths.

 -Katie @KatieGMG