Breaking the bonds of winter

Third day of April.  A warm up two weeks ago brought the pest crawling slowly back to life.  Not one escaped my path, inside or out.  A late winter cold front followed sending them into hiding again.  No sightings in a week now.  Seventy degree temps forecast for tomorrow, so my empty plastic jug is ready and waiting.

A warm up

On February 16th, the weather broke and so did the bonds of the dormant SB.  They began appearing on the walls, on the floor, in the sink.  Whatever happens, do not let them escape!  Kill, kill, kill.  Once they make it outdoors again, it's egg laying time and the cycle continues.  UGH.

8 October 2010

After five long and dreary days without sun or the stinkbug, today the sun came out and with it, the masses.

2 October 2010

Seems that October may be a predator of the stink bug, for today there was not one in sight; outside.  I did capture 3 in the house.  That means they are nestled into a nook or cranny somewhere near by, awaiting a new year, a new season.

Two-Thousand Ten's October Begins

My sister-in-law, who suffers the weight of Parkinson's Disease took a fall while capturing a stink bug.  In her house, they are not only a nuisance, but a hazard as well.

Rains wash September away

Rain for two days now and no sign of the stink bug. Hip hip hooray. Today's rains have been torrential at times.  As afternoon draws on,  high winds are bringing in some dryness and the warm 70 degree air is a reminder that summer is going but not yet gone.

25 September 2010

The second season of this non-native invasive pest is in full swing here in Maryland.  While summer got off to a mild infestation, on 16 August, the swarms arrived in numbers far greater than last summer.  A new development, of course, are young offspring, adding to the already plague like numbers that wintered over.  They are miniature Houdini's that find their way into and through the tiniest spaces.  Their hard shell and dropping, scurrying, flying abilities make them an unbeatable foe.  But we mustn't give in, stink bug tenders.  I am as much a pacifist as the next person, however, when it comes to this problem, I am on a personal mission to destroy as many stink bugs as possible.  Are you with me?  Since they have no natural predator, yet, let it be us.  The vacuum method sucks, excuse the pun, b/c your vacuum is ruined with the obnoxious smell they emit.  Sweeping only delays their return.  They must be eradicated!  A good old fashioned fly swatter works well, but then you have a mess to sweep away.  Still a better solution than none.  I have found that a plastic gallon jar with a one inch opening ( and a lid ) works well at capturing.  A hundred or more can be scooped up in less than 10 minutes.  I find myself like a madwoman spending much more than 10 minutes/day on my mission.  If everyone captured a few hundred/day, it stands to reason that next year we might just have less of a problem.  We replaced most of our 25 year old windows this year and have a lot less in the house as a result.  I have taken up all outdoor table cloths, rugs, tents and anything cloth like, as they seem to gravitate toward these hiding/nesting places.  They also seem to be attracted to yellow light.  Keeping shades pulled in the evening does seem to help lessen the amount that accumulates on windows.  They do not seem to like loud noises, or the spray of a hose and can be scared to flight in this manner.  Again, only temporary solutions. In our garage, we place an old rag or towel along a window or door each night.  The next morning, they are all huddled beneath the folds of the fabric, and we slide it into a plastic bag, seal it up.  Another batch destroyed.  That is a great feeling.  Let's join forces against this pestilence before they nestle in our homes for another winter and a new generation to come.