Believe it or not one of the Chinese products causing real headaches today in the US is not the counterfeit iPod.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (also known as Chinese Stink Bug) is not a native insect to North America.
It has been imported accidentally by Chinese trade ships in the mid nineties and in a little bit over a decade they have managed to become one of the biggest garden pests all over the United States.
The insect has been first spotted in Pennsylvania in 1998 however scientists suggest that it has been here from 1996 and started spreading across different states with a ridiculous pace.
How do the Chinese Stink Bugs look like? The adults reach sizes of 1.
7cm (0.
7in) and have brown fore-wings and thorax.
This is a typical shield-shaped bug and does not differ in form from the other native to the US species.
They lay their eggs under plant leaves and you can recognize them by their yellow or yellow-red color.
The nymphs are going through 5 development stages with red eyes and yellow-red to white with red spots abdomen as the stages progress.
Agricultural Pest They are known for being a pest insect in Asia however we can now fully understand that not only Asian countries are threatened by this "always hungry" bug.
The usual objects of attack are various types of fruits and vegetables but also plant leaves.
They are looking for juicy food as the way they eat is by sucking the juices out of a fruit leaving ugly brown or yellow spots and making it not good for consumption.
Among the favorite foods are: tomatoes, apples, figs, soybean crops, corn, peaches.
Even though they are not attacking humans, the stink bugs are invading houses causing an annoyance to many home owners.
House Pest The Shield Bugs are not dangerous to humans however when they come inside your home you will have a very frustrating experience.
They will buzz and fly around you and also will release their horrid odor which you may feel if you smash them or vacuum clean them.
Before you get yourself into trouble with a house infestation you need to take some preventive measures: • Seal cracks on the house and windows • Keep your windows closed at night or buy fly nets and put them on your windows • Do not leave windows and doors open at night with the light switched on • Clean up your clothes carefully after working in your garden • Inspect the vegetables and fruits you bring inside for eggs or Stink Bugs on them If you already have an infested home do the following: • Find the source of infestation (you will rarely have a big amount of bugs just coming from outside usually there is a dwelling place already in your home) • Look for them in dark corners, attics, old empty boxes, under furniture etc.
• When you find them remove all of them: adult species, nymphs and eggs.
Do not leave anything behind • A good way to get rid of them is to use a vacuum cleaner with water filter or with a bag.
This way you will make sure no toxic solutions are spread all over your house.
Complete elimination of Shield Bugs is possible so do not give up.
Good luck in that!