They're pretty harmless, but I don't want one landing on me all the same. I noticed them last year, but this year seems much worse, since there seems to be a lot more of them. They're almond shaped bugs. A picture is attached.
Full Version: Squash Bugs
Has anyone else seen these bugs? They are ALL OVER my work and home. They're inside my building at work, and over the weekend I've had to remove AT LEAST 10 from inside my house. I almost tripped over a parking block the other day when one tried landing on me. They're pretty harmless, but I don't want one landing on me all the same.
I noticed them last year, but this year seems much worse, since there seems to be a lot more of them. They're almond shaped bugs. A picture is attached.
They're pretty harmless, but I don't want one landing on me all the same. I noticed them last year, but this year seems much worse, since there seems to be a lot more of them. They're almond shaped bugs. A picture is attached.
I've seen 'em. Not a lot, but just occasionally. Maybe you just smell good? 
I noticed one in my garage yesterday. Hope the cats don't see 'em inside the house!
Ugh! I found 2 in my house yesterday and one more today so far! 
They are called a Brown Marmorated stink bug. They are a new (last 2 years) infestation to Hagerstown. They are rapidly becoming a pest on soybeans and corn.
They over winter as adults (in your house) and then emerge in the Spring to lay their eggs and die.
My son is terrified of them!
I hate the smell! Don't crush them! I try to catch them then flush them down the toilet. The county extension office has no recommendations for control other than seal up any entry points to your house (yeah right, good luck in my 100+ year old house!)
They over winter as adults (in your house) and then emerge in the Spring to lay their eggs and die.
My son is terrified of them!
I hate the smell! Don't crush them! I try to catch them then flush them down the toilet. The county extension office has no recommendations for control other than seal up any entry points to your house (yeah right, good luck in my 100+ year old house!)
Good call dad. Yes, they are the BMSB. A true pest... They are everywhere along the Wesel Blvd and Greenberry Hills area. My office is out that way, and they annoy me beyond belief. lol They are harmless to humans... just annoying.
I emailed the Dept of the Env about the bugs around my friends house in G'Berry Hills. I am concerned about them damaging the fruit crops in Smithsburg. For that to happen, all they have to do is hitch a ride on a few cars out to that area, and create a breeding colony. Scientists are worried about them making there way south, where they don't have to go inside for the winter. This bug could devastate certain tree-fruit crops.
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Here is an extract from an email that i had with the Department of The Environment.
Thank you for contacting us about this. We are aware of the Hagerstown nuisance population, but not of a shift to peaches or other economic crops in the area. This is of great concern to us and if it is occurring, we would certainly like to know. We are also doing some trapping and outreach statewide to see their range is expanding. If you would like, we can have someone stop by to assess your situation when they are checking traps in the area - I am also copying this email to some MD Cooperative Extension folks who might be interested in this issue.
Regarding keeping them out of buildings, exclusion is the best approach - caulk around windows and doors, place a fine screen mesh on the inside surface of attic vents, and seal gaps around window or wall air conditioners. You need to do this before they move inside for the winter. There are currently no recommended chemical controls for BMSB.
Here are some additional resources for information on BMSB: HTTP://northeastipm.org/bmsb.cfm
HTTP://www.rce.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/
I emailed the Dept of the Env about the bugs around my friends house in G'Berry Hills. I am concerned about them damaging the fruit crops in Smithsburg. For that to happen, all they have to do is hitch a ride on a few cars out to that area, and create a breeding colony. Scientists are worried about them making there way south, where they don't have to go inside for the winter. This bug could devastate certain tree-fruit crops.
---
Here is an extract from an email that i had with the Department of The Environment.
Thank you for contacting us about this. We are aware of the Hagerstown nuisance population, but not of a shift to peaches or other economic crops in the area. This is of great concern to us and if it is occurring, we would certainly like to know. We are also doing some trapping and outreach statewide to see their range is expanding. If you would like, we can have someone stop by to assess your situation when they are checking traps in the area - I am also copying this email to some MD Cooperative Extension folks who might be interested in this issue.
Regarding keeping them out of buildings, exclusion is the best approach - caulk around windows and doors, place a fine screen mesh on the inside surface of attic vents, and seal gaps around window or wall air conditioners. You need to do this before they move inside for the winter. There are currently no recommended chemical controls for BMSB.
Here are some additional resources for information on BMSB: HTTP://northeastipm.org/bmsb.cfm
HTTP://www.rce.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/
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