This winter a little invader invaded my home. It makes a buzzing sound similar to that of bees and flies. These buggers find their way into a warm place to hibernate during the winter. So, I began my research on the little bugger to name it. I found out that to defend its self it releases an odor--In this case the cilantro odor of the Halyomorpha halys aka- brown marmorated stink bug--family Pentatomidae. If you kill it by smashing it -- you will definitely smell the odorous cilantro for awhile.You can use a vacuum, but it will stink, too.
Our native stink bug is the Acrosternum hilare aka- green soldier bug: and its odor is like bitter almonds. However, most people do not know of it because it is kept in check by its predator.
Native to Japan and China - this stink bug hitched an uninvited ride and invaded the US in the late 1990's in Pennsylvania. As all stink bugs it damages crops (fruits and vegetables).
Most poisons won't kill the Halyomorpha halys. You can use garlic as a repellent. I just love garlic and cilantro--don't you.
The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are currently researching how it will affect our environment if it was to release the predator of the Asian stink bug: Trissolcus halyomorphae aka- parasitoid wasp: family of Scelionidae. This wasp can very well get rid of our native stink bug---not a good idea.
I' ve learned living with brown stinker (that's what I called him) as soon as he got comfortable in my home it became be a bit territorial and aggressive. Although, it's harmless--it is a nuisance. After 5 weeks he moved in brown stinker started to buzz and land on me. He seemed to like company after his hibernated sleep. So, I tossed him out the window. Next thing I know he's back again. Every where I went he followed. He would not leave me alone.One day I found him drowned in the toilet. so I flush it. One week to the day of the death of brown stinker I was sitting near my window and heard a buzzing sound. I saw an other brown mamorated looking for a place to stay right before our 2nd nor' eastern. I immediately got rid of it. I wondered how did it know to come to my home. I know that the late brown stinker was male; for he had a raised armor-- a good marker for male stinkers. Maybe, this new one was a female.
Best way to prevent these brown buggers is to chalk any cracks around door ways and windows. If you find them in your garden use a trap light. More than 2 then its a nest brood--call your local pest control. It is known that stink bugs population fluctuates from year to year-- same as other species, such as the Vanessa atalanta aka- Red admiral butterfly that was seen in abundance in 2012--due to the warm weather the year before.
So, natives beware--especially if you have a fruit or veggie garden.You can go on you tube to learn how to make simple traps.
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