Stink Bugs in Fall and Winter

Stink Bugs are the latest new pest to arrive to this region. Scientific experts say we are still about 3 years away from truly understanding the habits of this pest. This offers little comfort to those of us dealing with these situations now.

What we do know is these pests originated in the eastern part of the world in Asia.  They made their way to the U.S. somehow being transported to Pennsylvania. PA is considered our epicenter and these bugs have been on the spread in all directions since their arrival. Stink Bugs are a plant parasite with sucking mouth parts, so they truly threaten agricultural plants such as fruit trees and such. They have been reported to feed on almost any type of plant that produces some type of node or fruit.

In this region these pesky bugs after finishing feeding are looking for areas to over winter.  They are highly attracted to structures in the fall when the sun hits the side of a building and heats it up.  They will cluster on houses and eventually work their way indoors through any crack and crevice in window and door frames, or simply through attic ventilating areas.  Once indoors these pests become very difficult treat.

All County Pest Control is recommending that people be very aware in the early fall and keep an eye out for any sign of these bugs showing up on the outsides of their homes or landscape plants. This is when treatment timing is crucial and these pests can be controlled before they get in.

All County, being licensed in both ornamental and structural pest control, is able to offer a customized treatment plan to treat the exterior perimeter of your home as well as surrounding landscape shrubs and trees.  The key is to attempt to reduce the numbers that may gain access to your home.

At this time, there is no treatment method that is full proof, this is only a control process. As time goes by we will learn more about these creatures, but what we do know, is that they are very evasive and hardy and will most likely be a pest that will be around for a long time and will pose a challenge for us to deal with.