More on stink bugs

Our travels have brought us back to the stink bug capitol of the 1000 Trails world. Hershey Thousand Trails. We were here last year about the same time and it was our first experience with these buggers (pun intended). Since then we have found out a lot more about them. Nothing we like.

I call this the capitol because of the plethora of these bugs in the area. The point of entry is suppose to have been Allentown PA. Why I don't know and I use terms as "It appears" because I don't factually know. The reason for so many is because the campground is situated in an abundance of cornfields. A great place for them to breed and feed. And when it is harvest time, like now, that habitat is disturbed and removed so they come visit the motor home community. In droves.

It is reported that these bugs are now in twenty-nine states. Mostly in the warmer climate areas. Which generates another problem. We snowbirds are giving these buggers a free trip wherever we go . Of course we don't realize it since most of the time you don't see them until we get to our destination.

I've mentioned this before but I've discovered the eggs. If you look on the underside of your awning you might notice a cluster of white specs. These are the eggs of the bugs. The shells are very hard and not easily scraped off. You might find some dark brown spots on that underside also. I don't know if they are hatched or another breed of bugs.

But there is a way to remove them. We use raid on a Q tip. It softens the eggs and removal becomes easy. Raid will also give you an opportunity to watch the underside of the bug. As they roll over and die. This is not a commercial for Raid and I'm sure other insect sprays are just as effective.

There are so many ways for the stink bugs to get into the unit they will keep you busy just trying to find the places. I have no idea how many times we've asked "how did that get in here" or "where did that one come from". Let me give you some suggestions.

Through your air conditioner. We've found them behind the air conditioner filters when cleaning.

Around the sldeout seals. If there is a gap they will find it.

On the roof of the slideout and under the slideout awning. You should check these areas before bringing them in. Last year we found a colony of almost a dozen of them on the inside of the slideout seal as we were closing it. We were unaware of the effects of bug spray at the time and didn't get them all.

On your clothes when you enter the home. You don't see them until they show up on a wall or in your bedding. We've found them in our computer bags.
Check under your steps. Check the chassis of the unit before you leave the sight. Check your wheel wells.

These are just a few of the areas and you will find more as you go along. Don't crush them unless they are in an enclosed container you intend to through away. I would also recomend against using a vacumn cleaner unless you want to throw that away also. Or clean it well. Remember They don't call them rose bugs.

Happy hunting.