The western conifer seed bug invasion is underway
From Bob Confer(don’t call him Conifer!!)
No matter how airtight and clean one’s house may be, the fall sees many a Western New York home invaded by all sorts of creepy crawlies, from lady bugs to boxelder bugs.
Another insect that has become increasingly abundant – and, therefore, more problematic – every autumn is the western conifer seed bug. I’m sure you’ve seen them in your home, especially if you have spruce or pine trees in your yard — and they aren’t soon to be forgotten.
These large, unmistakable bugs are long (about three-quarters of an inch) and possess other oversized features like lengthy antennae and legs. When they fly, they expose an orange and black pattern on their abdomens and their powerful wings are audible in flight and might be even louder than those of a flying bumble bee.
Making their appearance even more unsettling is the fact that they look kind of like bloodsucking conenoses (kissing bugs) which are common throughout the South and are a transmitter of the horrible Chagas disease.
But seed bugs don’t suck blood or bite animals. They are interested in plants. They use their piercing, sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of developing spruce or pine cones. If you have Norway spruces, a common planting, in your lawn, then you’ve got these bugs – Norways tend to produce lots of cones and big, juicy ones at that, prime foodstuff for the seed bugs.
As their name implies, western conifer seed bugs were originally from the West – California, Oregon and Nevada. But, as lumber, Christmas trees, pallets, and firewood headed east, so did they, hitching a ride on shipments. They did not appear in New York State until the mid-1980s, but, despite being a relatively recent arrival, they are incredibly abundant throughout the state.
You can attest to that if you’ve ever had them in outside or inside your home.
Some homeowners see them in great numbers in massive aggregations on the outside of their house or garage that rival even some of the boxelder bug swarms. With numbers that many, you’re guaranteed a bunch will enter your home.
They come inside to escape the winter cold, choosing your friendly confines over the loose bark on your trees. You might find them climbing on our windows, stuck to the ceiling, or surprising you while they traverse your carpet. These creatures can give anyone the heebie-jeebies – they show up when and where you least expect them.
Why is it that when there’s one there’s many? Seed bugs have some powerful pheromones that humans can’t smell that will “call in” seed bugs from miles away. So, if they’ve made a good home for themselves they will ensure that others do too.
One thing that we can smell is the stench that comes from scent glands located on their legs. If you squish a seed bug (which is what most people do when they see them) you will be subjected to an unmistakable smell. It’s not as strong or rotten as a flattened stink bug, but it is shall we say, unique.
There’s really no time-tested way to control seed bug populations. Exterminators and the like will tell you to caulk gaps, replace torn screens, etc. to keep them from entering your abode.
The invasion is coming. Be ready.
Bob Confer writes opinion columns and nature columns for the Wellsville Sun. He is a Niagara County resident and businessman who, as a camp owner, considers Allegany County to be his beloved home-away-from home. You can email him at: bobconfer@juno.com
