Western
conifer seed bugs, or "stink bugs" as
they are commonly known , have recently
expanded their geographical presence to
include the northern US into Canada. One
of the reasons for this is thought to be
the rise of interstate commerce. They
were first reported in California in
1910 and have been overtaking the
country since then.
Western conifers become a nuisance in
homes and businesses when they enter
structures seeking protection from cold
weather. When handled, they give off a
pungent odor.
Adult western conifers measure ¾" long
and are yellow to light orange with
black patches on the upper side of the
abdomen with an orange and black pattern
on the under side of the abdomen.
Every year, western conifers produce a
single generation. Adults emerge from
overwintering in the spring and feed on
one-year cones. They lay their eggs on
conifers, and the eggs hatch within 10
days. After that, the newly hatched
nymphs (young insects) feed on needles
and the tissue of cone scales. As they
age, the nymphs use their mouthparts to
pierce and suck on developing seeds for
food. In August, the nymphs reach full
development. Adults then continue to
feed on seeds until they must find
shelter from impending cold weather.
They do this in pine bark, dead and dry
Douglas firs, in hawk and rodent nests,
and in buildings. When they enter
buildings in large numbers, people
become concerned, especially because of
their slightly menacing appearance.
So, if you are plagued with western
conifer seed bugs, what can you do? The
most important thing is to restrict
access to the warm harborages your
structure provides. Here are some
general guidelines:
-Replace loose fitting screens, windows
and doors
-Caulk gaps around doorframes and window
frames
-Caulk cracks behind chimneys and
underneath the wood fascia
-Screen fireplace chimneys and attic and
wall vents
To rid your home or business of bugs
that have already made their way inside,
a licensed pest control operator can
effectively eliminate their presence
through spraying.
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