==== ==== Discover the Stink Bug Control secrets they really don't want you to know http://tinyurl.com/Stink-Bug-Be-Gone ==== ====
Every year, as the weather gets cooler and insects and other creatures start looking for places to spend their winters, people come across stink bugs- annoying little brown insects that release a smelly liquid when crushed. Although not a direct threat to humans, these insects can become bothersome as their numbers increase inside homes and other protected structures, and they can also be quite destructive to fruits, ornamentals and other plants in the garden. In autumn, they are known to be especially bothersome to apple harvests and other fruit trees, sometimes even ruining large portions of the harvest. The brown marmorated stink bug isn't native to the US- they originate in China, Japan and Vietnam, but in 1996 they showed up in Pennsylvania, and have been working their way around the US ever since. Stink bugs in Maryland are becoming a serious problem, and with the approach of cooler fall weather, people will be looking for ways to get rid of stink bugs and keep them out of their homes and businesses. The first step in getting rid of stink bugs is to recognize them, and understand their life cycle. The brown marmorated stink bug is the most abundant and detrimental stink bugs that home and business owners will come across this year. These insects are approximately 14 to 17 millimeters long, and are a dark and splotchy brown color. They are shaped like a shield and have 2 antennae that have alternating light and dark bands. They lay their light green barrel shaped eggs outdoors from June to August, often on the undersides of leaves of shade trees, including the empress tree, butterfly bush, Norway maple, and honeysuckle. They feed on leaves and fruit, leaving small necrotic spots on apples, peaches, pears, persimmons and cherries. In the fall, as cold weather approaches, they begin looking for places to spend their winter. When they find an acceptable location; in an attic, basement or even in open areas of a home or business, they release an 'aggregation pheromone' that attracts other stink bugs to the area. This is when they become a problem for home and business owners, as they will start to cluster in large numbers. They will not reproduce during the winter, but they will enter a state of hibernation called 'diapause'. They do not feed or lay eggs, but are simply looking for a warm and safe environment to spend the winter. Finding ways to destroy these insects once they've entered a structure can be quite challenging. Knowing that these bugs will be looking for places to spend their winters in the early weeks of fall should have people looking for ways to prevent infestations. Stink bug prevention, as well as the prevention of any pests that try to enter a protected dwelling should start with identifying any openings in a structure that may allow entrance of any unwanted creatures. Sealing up cracks with caulking, and using weather stripping around doors and windows can help eliminate small holes that these pests may try to enter through. Remove air conditioners and screen your attic vents to close any possible entry points, while making sure that any cracks in siding, chimneys or utility pipes are sealed with a good silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Keep windows and doors closed in the fall, and inspect crawl spaces under a building for other possible entry areas.
If it's too late for stink bug prevention and these bugs are already infesting your home or business with a vengeance, they can be cleaned up with the use of a vacuum cleaner. Unfortunately there are no insecticides that are currently on the market for the general public that will get rid of stink bugs. Contacting a pest control professional is the best way to help eliminate stink bugs from your Maryland home this fall. Pest control professionals have the knowledge and tools that are appropriate for getting rid of stink bugs both inside and outside your home or business. They can also help manage any infestations that may be taking over your garden, ornamental plants or fruit trees.
For stink bug control in Northern Virginia, Washington DC or anywhere else in Maryland you can contact http://www.AmericanPest.net for more information. The professionals at American Pest can help you achieve and maintain a pest free home or business.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Courtney_Wadey
==== ==== Discover the Stink Bug Control secrets they really don't want you to know http://tinyurl.com/Stink-Bug-Be-Gone ==== ====