What about bugs in the 'burgh? (tree, place, humid)

[greg42]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Yes, that's it! I've never seen those before living in Pittsburgh. Had one in my apartment once, too. Their really easy to catch and release back outside though, which is more than I can say for most bugs.

It's pointless to release them outside; they know how to get back. They leave a trail. When it finally stays colder they'll, dunno, hibernate or something. Then they'll be back in spring for a bit before they stay outside all summer. But once you have them at your house, you'll keep having them, apparently. The only way to stop is to do a big treatment to the outside of the house at just the right time (in the fall, typically, when they are coming back). I read about that at another site, but I haven't tried yet. Then once you treat you try to block all access, etc. You can try doing that without treating, but it doesn't take much of an opening for the stink bugs to get in.

We catch them and flush 'em down the toilet. They tend to turn up in the bathroom anyway; we think they get down the duct for the vent fan. That's something I can try to screen over but I haven't had a chance. The bugs are harmless in the house (except for the stink if you crush them), but they do feed on some plants outside in the summer.

I think we're on our third year of the damn things.

[ferrarisnowday]

Originally Posted by Hopes

The history of stink bugs is relatively new in the United States---late 1990s.

Pennsylvania was the first place they were introduced to the country from the China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan region of Asia via some cargo shipment.

Thank God, they are harmless.

This is a very good article about the specific breed of stink bug in Pennsylvania that describes how to deal with them:

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug — Entomology — Penn State University

We should be glad they don't reproduce as quicky in Pennsylvania's climate compared to Asia.

I was just reading about that exact one on wikipedia, actually. I guess there are some native species, too though. Next time I see one I'll try to remember to look and see if it has the white marks.

It also noted that squishing them is a surefire way to release their stink and it can permeate the entire room for quite some time. So I'm glad my niceness to bugs paid off that time I took one outside!

[greg42]

Thanks for the PSU link Hopes; hadn't seen that article before. A bit of extra info.

[ferrarisnowday]

Originally Posted by greg42

It's pointless to release them outside; they know how to get back. They leave a trail. When it finally stays colder they'll, dunno, hibernate or something. Then they'll be back in spring for a bit before they stay outside all summer. But once you have them at your house, you'll keep having them, apparently. The only way to stop is to do a big treatment to the outside of the house at just the right time (in the fall, typically, when they are coming back). I read about that at another site, but I haven't tried yet. Then once you treat you try to block all access, etc. You can try doing that without treating, but it doesn't take much of an opening for the stink bugs to get in.

We catch them and flush 'em down the toilet. They tend to turn up in the bathroom anyway; we think they get down the duct for the vent fan. That's something I can try to screen over but I haven't had a chance. The bugs are harmless in the house (except for the stink if you crush them), but they do feed on some plants outside in the summer.

I think we're on our third year of the damn things.

Hmmm, I only had one and that was a few months ago. Maybe I caught him before he decided to make it his home and send the signal to all his buddies.

This is kind of unrelated, but the wikipedia article says their stink fluid contains cyanide, yet they are part of vietnamese cuisine. Guess it must be in really low doses.

[greg42]

Originally Posted by ferrarisnowday

Hmmm, I only had one and that was a few months ago. Maybe I caught him before he decided to make it his home and send the signal to all his buddies.

Ah, well, if you had one in the summer, it's probably not a big deal. Must've got there by mistake or something. It's when you see them in the spring or fall that you know they like your house and will be back.

[Tinare]

Originally Posted by greg42

Ah, well, if you had one in the summer, it's probably not a big deal. Must've got there by mistake or something. It's when you see them in the spring or fall that you know they like your house and will be back.

Aw, crap, I've caught and released two so far this fall. Or maybe it was the same one twice...

Funny part was that one was in my bathroom and the other was in my bedroom next to the bathroom. So I'll have to check out my exhaust fan they may be getting in that way.

[digi_groove]

How about house centipedes? The townhouse I moved into in Forest Hills had these everywhere in it. I'd kill at least 4 a week when the summer was in. Now it's maybe 1 every 3 weeks, but christ that was terrifying. I recall laying on my floor watching a tv program and one scooted across the floor inches from me.

Anyone else have this problem in the summer months? I had these where I was originally from, but I'd see maybe 1 the entire summer.

[Tiger Beer]

Originally Posted by Elder18

My wife was bitten by a snake once.

A trouser snake.

And she's been with me ever since.

[Fiddlehead]

Do chiggers make it that far north?

I have heard they are evil little buggers.

How about fireflies? I hear they are quite nice.

[greg42]

You don't get fireflies out there? We get plenty here, mid-summer. You may have to have a reasonable yard; not sure if they really thrive within the city limits. We get them for maybe a couple months in the peak of the summer. Dusk is the time to see them.

I dunno about chiggers; I can't recall ever worrying about them.