STINK BUGS

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

I hate bugs... and these nasty things have literally taken the area by storm! :rant:

http://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local-beat/Stink-Bugs-Taking-Area-By-Swarm-103669344.html

Is this an east coast thing or does the west coast have to suffer these smelly bugs too?

Short of sealing up your house, not much you can do to keep them out. Found one in my BR the other night---wouldn't go back to bed until I annihilated the little demon.

So far:
Rowan = 23
Stink bugs = 0

brainstorm77 · Oct 9, 2010

Isn't like for every one you see there are a hundred more hidden, watching you?

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

Oh, don't say that...

I'm scared of bugs and when I Googled these things I learned they BITE!

I'm glad I'm not on camera when I come in the back door. It's like a war zone, with the stink bugs mounting a last ditch defense. Or is it an offense since they're trying to get in?

Sydneyd · Oct 9, 2010

I live in Oregon. I saw one of these little suckers last week outside, and then another one last year. Even with my hatred of bugs, I don't think I can call that a swarm, so I am inclined to say the swarming is an east coast thing.

I think in oregon we get those little watermelon seed bugs (not their scientific name obviously) but they dont bite, stink, or cause any trouble really.

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

Oregon sounds nice! Unless you have lots of praying mantids. I'm terrified of those.

Perks · Oct 9, 2010

My father in law died in Maryland two week ago. When we were up for the services, I had to ask a question that I'm pretty sure has never been posed before:

"Is the Holy Water still holy if there are stink bugs swimming in it?"

It's my understanding that this intense infestation is localized right now, (there are stinkbugs elsewhere) but if they're hardy, who can say for upcoming seasons?

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

Perks said:
My father in law died in Maryland two week ago. When we were up for the services, I had to ask a question that I'm pretty sure has never been posed before:

"Is the Holy Water still holy if there are stink bugs swimming in it?"

It's my understanding that this intense infestation is localized right now, (there are stinkbugs elsewhere) but if they're hardy, who can say for upcoming seasons?

Maryland's not far from me...

...what was the answer?

Jersey Chick · Oct 9, 2010

**also curious about the holy water question**

robeiae · Oct 9, 2010

This thread is actually about Cray, isn't it?

Shakesbear · Oct 9, 2010

Perks said:
My father in law died in Maryland two week ago. When we were up for the services, I had to ask a question that I'm pretty sure has never been posed before:

"Is the Holy Water still holy if there are stink bugs swimming in it?"

It's my understanding that this intense infestation is localized right now, (there are stinkbugs elsewhere) but if they're hardy, who can say for upcoming seasons?

Maybe they wanted to be Christened/Baptised? I would guess that the Holy Water would cease to be holy as any bugs would be regarded as a contaminant.

What is a stink bug please?

Perks · Oct 9, 2010

Rowan said:
Maryland's not far from me...

...what was the answer?

The priests were confounded and everyone else laughed.

I'll fire off a query to Rome.

brainstorm77 · Oct 9, 2010

Do they really smell terrible when you kill one?

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

brainstorm77 said:
Do they really smell terrible when you kill one?

YES! That is one of their defenses. Nasty little suckers.

Here's a pic: http://www.ent.iastate.edu/images/hemiptera/stinkbug/brown_stink_bug_adult.jpg

Stink bugs, also sometimes referred to as shield bugs, are members of the hemiptera order. They are aptly named because these bugs have small glands located on their thorax that are capable of emitting a malodorous liquid. This ability is believed to be a defensive mechanism they employ against predators and when a stink bug is mishandled, it will in fact defensively release an odor. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-stink-bugs.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-stink-bugs.htm

The name stink bug derives from their tendency to eject a foul-smelling glandular substance when disturbed; in some species the liquid contains cyanide compounds with a rancid almond scent. This is a form of antipredator adaptation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentatomidae

brainstorm77 · Oct 9, 2010

Blech!

joyce · Oct 9, 2010

I had no idea your area was having an invasion of them. I only notice them when I have vegetables growing. The little bast@$S sit on the vegetable and suck out the juices. They leave a hard, colorless spot behind. Here in Florida I notice brown and green ones. I never smashed one so I don't know what they smell like. With my phobia, I'd rather be swarmed by stink bugs than roaches, or should I say palmetto bugs. Though in reality, I'd rather not be swarmed by any bugs at all.

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

joyce said:
I had no idea your area was having an invasion of them. I only notice them when I have vegetables growing. The little bast@$S sit on the vegetable and suck out the juices. They leave a hard, colorless spot behind. Here in Florida I notice brown and green ones. I never smashed one so I don't know what they smell like. With my phobia, I'd rather be swarmed by stink bugs than roaches, or should I say palmetto bugs. Though in reality, I'd rather not be swarmed by any bugs at all.

One of them got through my defenses. It's in here somewhere...waiting. It'll probably make an appearance after I'm in bed so I can throw the book across the room/fling myself into the wall when the dreaded thing starts buzzing around my head.

I'd rather deal with these v. camel back crickets or praying mantids but like you---don't want any bugs. I'd rather be swarmed by Russell Crowe please!

Camel back cricket: http://nationalpestexpertsus.com/mediac/400_0/media/Camelback$20Cricket.jpg
Praying mantis: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Pk3jJ8hnWXo/S8_8-993UDI/AAAAAAAADM4/OMzy8I8aDP8/s1600/praying_mantis_india.jpg

L.J. · Oct 9, 2010

Praying mantises eat stinkbugs.

Rowan · Oct 9, 2010

LizaJane said:
Praying mantises eat stinkbugs.

OMG...you're right!!! My new pets---if I can get them little collars and leashes!! [still terrified of them--they're demonic little things, eating hummingbirds]

The praying mantis eats a wide variety of insects, including stinkbugs, as well as other small creatures, such as hummingbirds and mice. The mantis is a sight-predator, waiting to ambush whatever bit of prey might come along. It's considered a beneficial insect because many pest and harmful insect species are included in its diet. http://blog.pennlive.com/life/2008/10/praying_mantis_will_eat_any_sm.html

backslashbaby · Oct 9, 2010

Before I saw it on the news, I was like what the hell attracts stink bugs to the windows? I couldn't figure out what I was doing differently.

I saw one inside and told my little dog to get it -- I'd never known a stinky stink bug. OMG. Yeah, don't do that.

It smells very chemical to me, and unlike anything I've ever smelled before. I certainly don't have to worry about the poor little dog making that happen on his own!

Don't vaccuum them up, I hear. Unless you have a vaccuum you're going to keep out of the house for a very long while.

Meh, they're slow. That's good.

joyce · Oct 9, 2010

Rowan said:
OMG...you're right!!! My new pets---if I can get them little collars and leashes!! [still terrified of them--they're demonic little things, eating hummingbirds]

OMG I didn't know they ate hummingbirds. How sick is that! I don't want one of those things around either. Poor bird.

Sydneyd · Oct 10, 2010

I had no idea that praying mantises ate hummingbirds...that is...evil.

I am telling you all, move to Oregon. Hardly no bugs...you get the random spider, but even then they are polite.

Shakesbear · Oct 10, 2010

Rowan thanks for the info. I think they are the same as they have in parts of Europe - but not, I think, in the UK. They are nasty smelly things - remember them from Italy. Was told NEVER stamp on one. One way of dealing with bugs, so I've been told, is to spray them with hair lacquer - this encases them and they can then be swept up. No idea if it works.

brainstorm77 · Oct 10, 2010

Get the high hold stuff. :tongue

Rowan · Oct 10, 2010

Shakesbear---that's an idea! Now I just need to get the 'high hold' stuff! :yessmiley

brainstorm77 · Oct 10, 2010

Rowan said:
Shakesbear---that's an idea! Now I just need to get the 'high hold' stuff!

AquaNet... Do they even make that anymore? :ROFL:

STINK BUGS

practical experience, FTW

Aye, ye scurvy dog!

delicate #!&@*#! flower

Up all night to get Loki

Touch and go

knows a hawk from a handsaw

delicate #!&@*#! flower

practical experience, FTW

practical experience, FTW

I'm really shy...

~~~~*~~~~

I'm really shy...

Aye, ye scurvy dog!

knows a hawk from a handsaw

practical experience, FTW

practical experience, FTW

*