Many people are afraid or disdainful of insects. Their fears are not without reason: many parasites in the apartment spoil furniture and food. True, despite the global development of insecticides, insects have successfully adapted to them and successfully survive in any conditions. And even more surprises await those who own the land. For example, a tree bug is not such a rare guest in the country. In small numbers, these bugs do not harm the site, but as soon as they multiply … Feeding on plant sap, they kill plantings and reduce crops.
What does a tree bug look like?
Bedbugs are represented by a large family. Depending on the species, they can have a completely different appearance. Some are classified as pests, others as beneficial creatures. Globally, bedbugs belong to the family of hemipteran insects with incomplete metamorphosis. The name comes from the special structure of the wings. The hindwings are transparent membranes with indistinct veins, and the forewings are covered with chitin, which makes them hard.
What does a bed bug look like,the most hated member of this family? A reddish-colored insect with a complete absence of wings comes to life at night. It bites a person and drinks his blood. The body is flat, which makes it hard to kill, six legs. Unlike its counterparts, it has distinct body segments.
The tree bug looks different. People also call him a stinker. He was met by almost everyone who picked berries. Inconspicuous green bug. It is worth crushing it - and a disgusting smell appears in the air. And those individuals who like to eat unwashed berries and fruits can also taste it. The stink bug prefers rose hips and raspberries, but does not disdain other plants.
Features of transformation
Where did the name "tree bug" come from? With the onset of autumn, the green bug turns brown. This is necessary for camouflage among the fallen leaves. During the summer, insects lay eggs twice, attaching them to the back of the foliage. It is noteworthy that the eggs have small caps through which the larvae leave the shell.
Life cycle
Real stink bugs go through several stages of development during their lives. First, larvae emerge from the laid eggs. They are white in color and actively feed, so the female first lays her eggs on the leaves so that the children have something to eat. The larva then transforms into a nymph. This is almost an adult. Its difference is the absence of wings. During molting, the nymph is released from the chitinous shell. On theAt this stage, most of the masonry dies. In total, a tree bug lives five molts in its life. As a result, the individual reaches a size of 1.5 cm.
The bugs endure the winter easily, falling into a stupor and hiding under the foliage. There they safely remain until the warm spring days. Initially, the bug is brown, then black-green. At the last stage of development - a green bug of a beautiful color.
Is there any danger?
When a person discovers that his plot has been captured by a stink bug, how to deal with it is the first question. In fact, this group of insects cannot be unambiguously attributed to the group of agricultural pests. The problem becomes when their number reaches a critical level. Since they feed on plant sap, they can cause serious damage to cereal fields and raspberries. Therefore, when guests are found on the site, it is better to take care of their destruction.
Ways to fight
Tree bug in small quantities is easily harvested by hand. In severe cases, you can try folk methods of struggle. For example, brew an infusion of onion peel. To do this, take a liter of warm water, add a few handfuls of dry onion peel to it and let it brew. Spray all plants with the resulting solution. You can also use mustard or other bitters instead of onion skins.
Since the fruits and grains are supposed to be used for food, it is undesirable to use chemicals, - green tree shieldeasily removed on your own. Poisonous substances should be used only when there are a lot of insects.
Why does it stink so much?
Many people don't know why bed bugs smell so bad. Everything is extremely simple: on the back of his cephalothorax you can find special glands. Their task is to create a special secret, the basis of which is cyamic acid. That's what gives it the scent. In fact, its main task is poisonous, and this makes the bug dangerous to other insects. Acid is completely harmless to humans.
Scientists have several versions of the purpose of the specific smell of bedbugs:
- frightening off an opponent;
- attracting a female;
- defense mechanism.
Despite the general harmlessness to humans, their smell can spoil raspberries, as the secret affects the taste and aroma of the fruit.
Bugs at home
Houses mostly live linen bugs. Their habitat is upholstered furniture and clothes. But sometimes the shield bug settles in the house. They rarely attack en masse. They are completely harmless to humans. They settle in a number of adverse conditions:
- Insects are looking for warm shelter as a result of the cold snap.
- Flood or fire, bed bugs are just looking for shelter.
- Insects are blown in with strong winds.
When you find intruders, don't try to deal with them the same way you deal with bed bugs. It's inefficient and useless. Guards do not survive in the conditions of the house, as a result of which they die orgo away on their own. Therefore, you can simply manually collect them and take them out into the street. To prevent their occurrence, put mosquito nets on the windows.
Protect the site from guests
Everyone knows that instead of removing insects, it is easier to prevent their appearance. Wood bugs do not like strong odors. Therefore, it is useful to plant plants such as wormwood, tansy, mustard around the perimeter of the site. The cimicifuga works best. Close all windows with special nets.
Carefully consider your landing pattern. For example, it is better not to plant raspberry bushes near the house, especially under the windows. Otherwise, tenants often run the risk of discovering uninvited guests. Therefore, it is better to plant raspberries along the fence. And windows and doors do not interfere with smearing with a solution of water and onion peel, as the pungent smell will scare away bedbugs.
You can also plant herbs such as basil or oregano.
Are bites dangerous?
The closest relatives of the stink bug are linen bugs. Their main drawback is bites. But is the wood bug so dangerous in this regard? No. To begin with, it is worth understanding that they bite extremely rarely. The fact is that their jaws are not adapted for this. All they have is a proboscis. It is they who pierce the leaf or stem of the plant. The linen bug, on the other hand, has powerful chewing jaws, it eats spiders and can bite a person.
The defender attacks only when life is threatened. As a rule, they are harmless to humans. The bite site should be treated with an antiseptic or ointment. Another thing is if the bite fell on the mucous membrane. Then it is likely thatswelling, redness and itching. In this case, you should consult a doctor to prevent the inflammatory process.
Chemical Control
With an excess of wood bugs, it is advisable to use chemical destruction agents. But their use is associated with certain difficulties, since pesticides affect the fruits and soil, also poisoning them. Nevertheless, drugs such as Karbofos or Chlorophos are effective against bedbugs. Be sure to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and a respirator when using them. Carefully study the instructions for use.
Mechanical means of combat
In small numbers, wood bugs are easily harvested by hand. All that is required is to take a large jar with a narrow neck and a tight lid. The bugs must be carefully taken with your hands and put into a container, then close it with a lid. It is not difficult to catch them, as they are slow. Caught insects should be released outside the site.
Biological Control
Folk remedies are advised to mix water with plants that have a pungent odor. For example, with bitter wormwood or onion peel. All plants are treated with the resulting aqueous solution. It will be useful to wipe door and window jambs with it.
In any case, remember that any insects are part of nature, and in small numbers they perform their tasks. Therefore, do not try to completely destroy them. Also, before using chemicals, think about how they affect the soil andfruit quality. First, try to cope with improvised means.
