An Invasive Insect Is Infesting Numerous Homes

An Invasive Insect Is Infesting Numerous Homes

Having an insect infestation within your own home can severely disrupt your everyday life. You may have to move into a hotel for a few days, and you may feel iffy about setting foot into your home again. This is likely how many residents of Utah have felt this summer, as the entire state is now crawling with invasive insects. The invasive insects that are pestering so many homeowners are known as the invasive elm seed bugs, and they originated from the mediterranean region.

These insects have managed to infest numerous homes located within every region of the state of Utah. According to Ryan Davis, a diagnostician at the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab, the invasive insect is, luckily, harmless, and it started to infest homes about two years ago. The insects are similar in appearance to boxelder bugs, which are common, harmless and well known bugs that are located in a variety of American states. The elm seed bugs differ from boxelder bugs in that they are a bit smaller, and their red marking is not quite as bright as the ones found on boxelders. Unfortunately, these elm seed bugs are similar to boxelder bugs in that they have a preference for indoor living.

During the summer elm seed bugs can be found resting on trees, but during the winter they may try to gain access to peoples’ homes in order to escape the cold. These bugs can hibernate during the winter months by securing a safe location in various crevices and cracks located on houses or buildings.

Although elm seed bugs do not bite or carry any diseases, they do emit a foul odor. Most people who have found these bugs within their homes probably never thought of contacting a pest control professional until the bugs made their presence clear with their disgusting odors. The bugs are migrating to new areas quickly. Elm seed bugs were spotted in Idaho back in 2009, so it is only a matter of time before they begin to make themselves at home in states across the country.

If you knew that you had an infestation of elm seed bugs would you attempt to kill them all yourself, or would you contact professionals in order to have them eradicated from your home?