Keeping Unwanted "Bugs" Out of the House     

"Help! Stink bugs are swarming all over my house!"   

Well - it's that time of year again!  

The days and nights are  beginning to become cooler and that means some nasty bugs are going to start looking for a place to spend the cold winter months. In many cases that nice warm, cozy place that they find may very well be your house! Our phones are already beginning to ring off the hook and the e-mails are pouring in!   

And unfortunately it's only going to get worse! 

Stink bugs will soon be trying to get into your house!

Stink Bugs

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys) has not only become an annoying invader of our homes but their populations have exploded to the point that they have become a major threat to many agricultural crops including both ornamentals like roses and food crops like tomatoes, peppers, and various fruits. 

Adult boxelder bug. Joseph Berger, Bugwood.org

Boxelder Bugs

The boxelder bug is another nuisance insect that can invade your home in droves in the fall. Like the stink bugs, they are seeking protected overwintering sites and your warm home fits the bill perfectly! Boxelder bugs are not major pests of plants and though in some years they may appear in great numbers, they are not necessarily found in abundance every year. They become a nuisance mainly when they enter homes and buildings in the late fall. Adults and immature nymphs can often be found together at any time during the summer and fall. When the weather begins to cool in the early fall, these insects congregate in warm places in the garden such as rock walls, log piles, and stone statuary.

Boxelder bug nymphs swarming on a statue in the garden.

At this time of year in the Viette gardens, boxelder bugs are often found swarming over the concrete statues that are found throughout the gardens. Later in the fall, they will begin to seek warmer sites to overwinter; that's when they start coming into the house where they can cause staining on walls and curtains from their excrement or if they are squashed in place, their bodies can leave a red stain.  

Control of these invading insects is similar to that for the stink bugs. Since they also sneak into the house through cracks and crevices in the foundation and around windows, doors, and air conditioners, sealing these with caulk and weather stripping will do wonders in keeping them out of the house. If you do find them in the house, sucking them up with a vacuum is the best method of removal.  

Control products for boxelder bugs are similar to those that can be used for excluding stink bugs.   

October at Viette's! 

Saturday, October 5th at 1:30 pm 

Techniques of Plant Propagation   

A wonderful fall hands-on workshop! Plant propagation is an exciting, self-satisfying, and money saving activity! Learn how to landscape your property using your own plants. Mark will teach you the best methods for many different plants including techniques of dividing, taking cuttings, layering, and seeding. Take home loads of plant divisions! A propagating demonstration tour is included.

Please pre-register by calling 800-575-5538;
       $30 fee, two for $50   

Saturday, October 12th at 1:30 pm  

Customer Appreciation Day  

     and Fall Garden Tour