Q. We have thousands of these beetles in our trees here in
Henderson. Yesterday they collected on a neighbor’s car by the
thousands. They sprayed them off. These bugs left imprints on the finish
of their car that were unremovable. What are these bugs and what do we tell our
pest control companies to do?
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| Here stinkbugs become big nuisance for residents of Henderson, Nevada. Most stinkbugs cause plant damage. A few are actually beneficial. |
A. These are a type of stinkbug. I am not an expert on
stinkbugs but it is one of several types that can be found here. Most stinkbugs
cause damage to plants or become a nuisance as yours have done.
stinkbugs but it is one of several types that can be found here. Most stinkbugs
cause damage to plants or become a nuisance as yours have done.
 |
| Two more different types of stinkbugs reported by residents in Las Vegas. One for sure, the one above, was causing damage to a apricot leaves very early in the season. |
Stinkbugs
come in green and brown colors and in many different forms. Familiar relatives
to stinkbugs are the squash bug and leaffooted plant bug, both very bad pests
in squash and melons as well as pomegranates, pistachios and almonds.
come in green and brown colors and in many different forms. Familiar relatives
to stinkbugs are the squash bug and leaffooted plant bug, both very bad pests
in squash and melons as well as pomegranates, pistachios and almonds.
 |
| Squash bugs on the underside of a squash or melon leaf. They are a type of “stinkbug”. |
There are a
few stinkbugs that are good guys but not very many. In your case I think these
are a nuisance but check your garden and landscape and see if they are feeding
on important plants around your home.
few stinkbugs that are good guys but not very many. In your case I think these
are a nuisance but check your garden and landscape and see if they are feeding
on important plants around your home.
 |
| Leaffooted plant bug on pomegranate, another type of “stinkbug”. |
Soap and
water sprays applied directly to them at dusk is a good control measure which
is relatively nontoxic to other insects as long as it is directed at the
stinkbugs. You can buy Safers insecticidal soap at any nursery or garden center
and it will be safe for plants listed on the label. Commercial insecticidal
soaps are safer to use on plants than making your own from dishwashing liquid.
water sprays applied directly to them at dusk is a good control measure which
is relatively nontoxic to other insects as long as it is directed at the
stinkbugs. You can buy Safers insecticidal soap at any nursery or garden center
and it will be safe for plants listed on the label. Commercial insecticidal
soaps are safer to use on plants than making your own from dishwashing liquid.
There are
more toxic insecticides you can use as long as you don’t spray your fruits or
vegetables with them. Be sure to read the labels of pesticides before buying
and applying.
more toxic insecticides you can use as long as you don’t spray your fruits or
vegetables with them. Be sure to read the labels of pesticides before buying
and applying.