Spring is almost here, and while you may welcome the change of seasons, you may not be so excited about what often comes with warmer weather: beetles. According to a recent article in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there’s one bug that you may see a lot more common this year – and even if you don’t see it, you can smell it very well. Experts warn that this particular flaw will draw your attention to its presence with a characteristic smell, reminiscent of coriander, chili peppers or coriander. The insect in question? The aptly named stink bug. Read on to learn more about this ubiquitous pest, and for more insect news, this threatening insect may just have been “wiped out” in the US
According to Brittany CampbellAccording to the National Pest Management Association entomologist, last year’s mild winter and unusually warm spring and summer caused brown, marbled stink bugs to multiply faster. “Usually stinkbugs produce a generation a year, but when it’s very hot there can be more,” Campbell told the newspaper. Now there is a marked increase in reports of productive failures in parks, gardens and yes, in people’s homes.
The good news? These shield-shaped insects are generally harmless, although as a disturbing piece in the details of The New Yorker they have been known to cause infestations that would alert any homeowner. “They are not dangerous to people. They don’t sting or bite. But in our house they like to end up in the light of the dining room and occasionally drop on the table. ” John Wenzel, an entomologist and director of the Powdermill Nature Reserve of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pennsylvania told the Pittsburgh newspaper.
In addition to the risk of stink bugs popping up in alarming numbers – and their unwanted presence at your dining room table – these household pests can also release a pungent odor as part of their defense system. And while many compare the scent with coriander, coriander or chili peppers, others smell less tasty smells: “Dead skunk, rancid meat or a combination of sulfur and ammonia,” reports the paper. Experts say they likely release the odor if they feel threatened, excited, or if they’re bruised – which means you’ll want to dispose of them with caution.
So what should you do if you’ve already noticed stink bugs in your home? Cap off any entry points you can find, eliminate sources of food and moisture the insects may live on, and gently escort the insects out of your house rather than reaching for a clap. Otherwise, you might be left with something even less pleasant than a beetle: a stench that lingers long after it dies. Read on to find more expert-assisted ways to spot a bug problem in your home and for more advice on insects: If you see this bug that will invade the US, don’t kill it.
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If you see a spider here or there then there is nothing serious to worry about, but seeing a lot of them poses two problems. First, you have a lot of spiders in your house (ick). Second, spiders eat beetles, which means the spider population will only thrive if you have plenty of other insects in your home too.
As Panther Pest Control points out, because of their “food choices, spiders are nature’s best pest control as they feed on insects”, including “everything from drain flies to crickets and mosquitoes to fruit flies, cockroaches, earwigs and clothes moths”. If you see an increase in spiders, be sure to check for signs of these other types of insects as well. Sign up for our daily newsletter for more tips on protecting your home right in your inbox.
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If you notice stains on your windowsill and a strange smell in your house, you could have a ladybug problem on your hands, according to Carolina Pest. And while ladybugs are considered insects, they are considered the least offensive. But experts say that, like spiders, they also suggest that there is a steady stream of other bugs to eat.
Additionally, Vulcan Termite & Pest Control warns that there is a difference between ladybugs and Asian ladybugs. They may look similar, but the latter are known to cause harmful infestations in the home. To tell the difference, look closely at the insect’s head. If you notice a white M shape where the head meets the wings, it is an invasive species. And for other pest issues to watch out for, if you live here, prepare yourself a serious insect infestation, warns the expert.
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You may notice a termite problem by a number of tell-tale signs: they leave mud hoses on the outside walls, throw piles of wings on the floor, and leave droppings that look like wood pellets, according to pest control company Orkin. Another subtle sign that you have a termite problem is that your paint is peeling unexpectedly.
Pest control company Orkin explains: “As any painted surface that has moisture behind it reacts, the painted surfaces can peel off or bubble along with the termite infestation. Not every bubbling or peeling paint on a structure is a guarantee that there are termites behind the painted surface, but the bubbling or peeling can be a sign of moisture. “In other words, if your paint seems to be peeling off faster, you should call an exterminator to inspect your house.
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There may be no insect problem more feared than bed bug infestation. But, as pest control company Terminix points out, they can be hard to spot if you don’t know what to look for: “Older bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed (about five millimeters). They are red-brown, wingless, and flat, although they swell like a torpedo after being fed blood. If so, they’ll turn bright red and it will take days to turn reddish brown again. “
Experts say that while bed bugs are visible to the naked eye, you may notice other clues about them before you even recognize the bugs yourself. Look out for “poured / potted bed bug skins, exoskeletons or bed bug shells, poop stains on your mattress and bedding,” and “blood stains on your sheets and pajamas,” says the Terminix team on and around your bedding. And for more insect-related nightmares, those terrible bugs you forgot are coming back soon, destroyers warn.
