Trader’s Dispatch, November 2013 — Page A24
WANTED Versatile 895 or 875 in good condition, low hours; 34-ft. plus chisel plow; 20-ft. plus disc; Air seeder; Truck with 20 - 24-ft. box; International or John Deere combine with 30-ft. plus header, low hours. Phone 406-366-3216
Common fall insect invaders
By Annette Heisdorffer, Ph.D., Daviess County Extension Agent for Horticulture noticed as a mass of insects on the outside of As the weather turns cooler, insects bebuildings. Then during the growing season, gin to find an overwintering site. Dr. Lee damage due to this stinkbug may be seen in Townsend, University of Kentucky Coopfield crops and garden plants. erative Extension Entomologist, reminds Stinkbugs are roundish, shield-backed us that in the fall several insects become bugs with five segmented antennae. Brown accidental invaders into the home. Boxelder marmorated stinkbug can be recognized as bugs and the brown marmorated stinkbug a relatively large and flattened stinkbug. It may be insects trying to come inside this gets its name from the marbled brown and fall. gray colors on its back. The underside is Boxelder bugs are common insects that variable in color but is much lighter than feed on sap from leaves, twigs, and seeds of the upper side. To distinguish it from other boxelders as well as other members of the similar stinkbugs such as the brown stink maple family. Large numbers of them acbug, it has two wide white-banded areas cumulate in the fall and can be seen on tree on the antennae. A hand lens can be used to trunks or branches, or sunning themselves see the bands. The abdomen on the brown on the south or west sides of buildings. marmorated stinkbug extends past the wings Adult boxelder bugs are elongate, oneexposing light colored ‘triangles’ past the half inch long insects with sucking mouthwing edges. It also has only one small tooth parts. They are mostly black with some red along each leading edge of the thorax, and markings. There are three narrow red lines this tooth is just behind the eye. When on the segment behind the head, one down disturbed, it will leave a cilantro-like odor. the center and one on each side, and a thin Anyone noticing a cluster of stink bugs red inverted “V” about the middle of the on a building is encouraged to collect some back. The wingless immature or nymphal in a container of rubbing alcohol and take stage has a black head, antennae, and legs. it to your local county Extension Office for The red abdomen has an orange-yellow identification. This information will help stripe and spot down the center of the us establish any changes in distribution back. Boxelder bugs feed on plants during and abundance of this pest in the Comthe summer. They move to sheltered areas monwealth. including nearby houses and buildings in Mechanical exclusion is the best method the fall and remain there during the winter. to keep stinkbugs from entering. Cracks Sweep or vacuum up and discard those around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, found inside. They will not multiply nor will behind chimneys, and underneath the wood they infest any household articles. These fascia and other openings should be sealed harmless insects are only a nuisance or acwith good quality silicone or silicone-latex cidental invader; however, they may leave caulk. Damaged screens on doors and winan odor and stain when crushed. dows should be repaired or replaced. Exclusion is important in reducing numExterior applications of insecticides, may bers that get indoors. Check door sweeps offer some minor relief from infestations and places outside the house that may allow where the task of completely sealing the them to get inside. Insecticidal soap can be exterior is difficult or impossible. Homsprayed directly on the boxelder bugs coneowner products containing the active ingregated on outside walls as a safe means gredients deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambdaof control. cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, or permethrin Another insect pest that may be seen on are options. They should be applied in the sides of buildings on warm fall days is the fall as the bugs begin to congregate. These brown marmorated stinkbug. This is a new insecticides are broken down by sunlight so insect pest to the area. During the summer the residual effect will decrease and may not months it can be a very serious pest of many kill the insects much beyond several days fruit, vegetable, nursery, and field crops. or a week. It was found for the first time in Daviess If numerous bugs are entering the livCounty in January of this year inside a ing areas of the home, locate the openings home. As it moves to a new area, it is first where the insects gain access. Typically, stink bugs will emerge from cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. Seal these openings with caulk or other suitable materials to prevent the insects from crawling out. Both live and dead stinkbugs can be removed from interior areas with the aid of a vacuum cleaner; however, the vacuum may acquire the smell of stinkbugs for a period of time. It is not advisable to use an insecticide inside after the insects have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas. For more information on insect pest proofing your home, contact the Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service at 270-6858480. More information about the brown marmorated stinkbug can be found at http://pest.ca.uky.edu/EXT/ BMSB/welcome.html.
END OF THE YEAR SAVINGS