Bugs and Beetles, In February

We have had some occasional warm days, that have led to the appearance inside of bugs and beetles that are more often associated with outside activity. For example, when temperatures got a little higher than 40 degrees F, western conifer seed bugs and asian ladybird beetles (the official bug of Massachusetts), both of which will overwinter in attics, came down into living spaces. The combination of heat and light for those overwintering in certain areas, triggered the movement toward what the insects thought was the outside, leading to emergence in a living space. For those outside insects, ending up in a living space provides no resources to enable reproduction, so simply vacuum up (a favored Integrated Pest Management (IPM) technique) the ones you see, they will not infest your structure.
-Lauren Greenhow, General Manager, GreenHow, Inc.
www.GreenHow.com. Effective Organic & Low Impact Solutions, Lawn Care, Pest Control & Termite Control in Newton and Metro Boston.

Occasional Invaders: Western Conifer Seed Bug (Stinkbug)

The cool weather brings the occasional invaders to our homes and businesses looking for overwintering sites. Besides the Asian Ladybird beetle, another fall pest to arrive on the side of our structures is the Western Conifer Seed Bug. This bug only uses structures for overwintering sites. A complete exclusion service from an integrated pest management professional is the key to keeping this bug from becoming a nuisance. The next time they are spotted at a home or business is late February or early March when they come out from overwintering sites in walls or attics.
-Lauren Greenhow, General Manager, GreenHow, Inc.
www.GreenHow.com. Effective Organic & Low Impact Solutions, Lawn Care, Pest Control & Termite Control in Newton and Metro Boston.