In continuation from Monday…

Stink bugs lay eggs that hatch in August.  Baby stink bugs (nymphs) look very similar to lady bugs and are not pesticide resistant like the adult ones have proven to be.  You can often find them lurking about your garden areas as they are easy to spot by their red and black colored bodies.  Baby stink bugs morph very quickly into mini versions of adult stink bugs.

Stink bugs have already proven to be a huge agricultural pest in New Jersey as well as many other locations across the United States.  These creepy bugs insert a straw-like piece of their mouth into soft fruits and vegetables in crops, orchards, and gardens alike.  These pesky bugs feast on a wide variety of host plants like corn, tomatoes, apples, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus, soybeans, green peppers, lima bean, and green beans.  This insect sucks on the fruit or vegetable of its choice leaving it completely inedible.  The stink bug has already destroyed entire orchards throughout many states.  These stinky pests have also caused damage to many other types of plants that you typically find around NY and NJ homes and businesses.

Because stink bugs have no known predators in the United States, their populations continue to grow each year.  China and Japan entomologists recently discussed with US officials about introducing a new type of aggressive wasp into the United States that is a stink bug predator.  It stands to reason that government officials should be worried that the new wasp could also become a bothersome pest if it were to be introduced into the United States.

Stink bugs have proven to be very pesticide resistant.  Spraying pesticide in attics or wall voids should not be done because dead and decaying insects will attract other nuisance insects thereby creating a larger problem.  As the weather turns colder outdoors, stink bugs instinctively are trying to work their way indoors through any crack, crevice, door, window, or screen they can find. You can help keep stink bugs out by having Stern Environmental Group surround the perimeter of your home or business with insecticides to keep stink bugs away.

2010 it seems has been quite the year for annoying household pests!  Bed bugs are going crazy across the United States and now we have a relatively new pest that is raising its ugly antennae to make us all nuts…the Halyomorpha halys, otherwise known as the stink bug is proving to be a difficult insect to eradicate!

Stink bugs are causing trouble for New York and New Jersey residents, and we are not alone.  These stinky pests have now been found in 22 different states, and before long, they will likely be found throughout the US.  The brown marmorated stink bug was accidentally transported to the US via packing material to Pennsylvania from their homeland in the Orient.  They originate in China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.  They were first discovered in the United States about 15 years ago and each year since, have enjoyed a population increase.

Unlike bed bugs, stink bugs are not blood suckers nor do they crawl into bed with humans.  Stink bugs do not sting like a bee or wasp, nor do they bite like a spider or tick. They are however a particular nuisance for NY and NJ residents at this time of year because they are consistently trying to work their way indoors so that they can spend their winter in the warm and cozy indoor temperatures.

Stink bugs live up to their name by the odorous fumes that they emit when threatened, frightened, annoyed, vacuumed, or squished.  Their smell has been compared to a skunk or rotting musty feet.  Once a stink bug releases its horrible stench, it’s not uncommon for a room to clear until the odor has dissipated.  Stink bugs are about 17 mm long are brown-ish/gray-ish in color.  They have a shield shaped body, with patches of coppery or bluish-metallic colored small rounded depressions.