Over Wintering Insect Calls Trickle In (Lady Bugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs)
Posted on January 11, 2010 with No Comments
During the months of September, October and November, insects that cannot survive in the cold will attempt to enter your home through the cracks and crevasses in your home. The two most common over wintering insects are Ladybugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs. Neither of these pests are harmful, they are a nuisance. Back in October, New York had a huge ladybug swarm which left hundreds of people calling our office asking what to do. Homes were invaded with ladybugs because of the sudden increase in temperature, it tricked these pests into thinking it was spring!
Even though the temperature has stayed a steady 35 degrees, we are still receiving calls of people seeing Ladybugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs in their homes and offices. Our Over Wintering Insects prevention program will solve all of these issues. Our technicians will come out and inspect your entire home, inside and out. They then will make a determination to where the insects are entering your home, and treat the necessary areas. This will prevent a swarm when the weather does increase, and keep these little flying creatures out of your home!
Known as the “Stink Bug,” the western conifer seed bug has become a household nuisance around the country. Originally from warm-temperate climates, the stink bug has migrated to almost every part of the country making them a massive species of pests. Their major source of food is sap coming from conifer cones, creating larger populations where conifer (evergreen) trees are more abundant. These bugs actually help the spreading of conifer seeds because the sap-sucking helps the development of seeds. The bugs themselves are refered to as “Stink Bugs” because when sensing danger(or stepped on) they release a foul smell to keep predators from preying on them. These flying bugs can be seen from the Southwestern US all the way up to Maine, and have even been spotted across the pond in Italy and some Eastern European countries. Other than their ugly appearance and foul smell, these agitating bugs really do no harm to us.
The Northeast usually sees dramatic climate changes come late September through October. One day the temperature will be 65 degrees and sunny and the next it will cool down to the low 40’s. For the ladybug’s sake, they feel that winter is coming so they will try and find a place to hibernate. They are attracted to light colored houses that are in the sun most of the day. Since they are looking for a warm place to hibernate they usually migrate towards older homes in which there is a lack of good and adequate insulation. In order to create more heat for themselves they form large clusters so body heat does not escape as easily. Since the temperatures can vary day to day in the Northeast the ladybugs will group together in the walls of your home then disperse again when the temperature rises again.
