RADIO TRANSCRIPT
October 22, 2024
Matt Rodriguez

This is Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center.

The weather has begun to change and as the nights get colder and the days get shorter, uninvited, eight legged house guests have started showing up. It’s time for the lady beetles and stink bugs to invade. If you are not one of the multitude of homeowners who experiences this problem each year, consider yourself lucky!

Both of these insects love to congregate in large numbers on the side of the house-mostly the south or the east sides where the sun hits first. From there they find tiny cracks and crevasses to come inside and make themselves at home.

These critters get in the walls and attics of the house and seek out warm spots in your living rooms, bedrooms, etc. Now what can you do ? The answer is not much, once they are in the house. Insecticides are short lived and while they will kill insects when sprayed directly on them, there is very little residual effect for later on. It’s best to sweep them or vacuum them when you see them. Next spring, take time to search out cracks and crevasses around doors and windows and caulk them.

This has been Matt Rodriguez, horticulture agent with North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Burke Center. For more information, call us at 828-764-9480.