Posted on 10/17/2012 5:51:21 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Warm weather this year has contributed to a resurgence in the mid-Atlantic region’s brown marmorated stink bug population, with researchers estimating at least a 60 percent increase this year in insects that soon will be making their way indoors to escape cooling temperatures.
Record summer heat that lasted through September favored the resurgence of stink bugs, which breed twice a year — in spring and summer. Michael Raupp, entomology professor at the University of Maryland, said the favorable conditions enabled the bugs to complete their second breeding cycle in “spectacular fashion,” meaning they are poised to invade homes and businesses in large numbers.
Some scientists even have speculated that this year’s infestation could rival that of 2010, when swarms of the creepy-looking invasive insect attacked crops and unsettled residents of the mid-Atlantic states.
Far fewer of the bugs were spotted last fall because of cool and wet weather, which made it difficult for them to produce a second generation, Mr. Raupp said. As a result, the stink-bug population was smaller in the spring.
“This gave people the impression that the stink bugs had vanished,” Mr. Raupp said. “The return is kind of a misconception. They never really went away.”
Native to Asia, stink bugs were first found in the United States in Allentown, Pa., in 1998, and have been spreading ever since. The massive 2010 infestation was caused in part by an early warm spring.
“When it warms, it’s a signal that trees are going to have buds, leaves and fruits; then they become active,” Mr. Raupp said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
The stink bugs are heavily out in Arizona this fall, too.
MA has been crawling with these things too. Probably the worst year I’ve seen.
They are bad in Ohio right now.
I actually found a way to kill the little suckers...soapy water. Fill a spray bottle with soapy water, spray on the bugs directly or on the areas where they congregate (I spray around windows and doors). Spray bushes and areas close to the house, too. Works like a charm.
I saw One last night on TV. He stank purrty good!
They’re probably all registered as Democrats.
Never understood why everyone says these things stink so bad. I smell an odor reminding me of cucumbers when they are killed, not as bad as I have heard others describe. They are creepy and annoying, but nothing like those damn lady bugs, which are back in great numbers again here in western PA.
They have overrun our positions here in Georgia as well.Somebody posted a tip about soapy water gettin rid of them.Good deal.
Thuoght this was about the return of Occupy Wall Street....
Same difference.
Much like Fire Ants from South America, the damn things don't even belong here!
I have been dealing with them for about a month now here in Cincinnati.
Sounds good and affordable. But to be precise, are you referring to soap as in Ivory soap, or detergent as in dish detergent? Thank you.
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