THE PINE SEED BUG - FRIGHTFUL YET HARMLESS

If you have a home in Ontario, you’ve probably seen a pine seed bug. You may have seen these bugs basking in the sunlight on your windows, sucking the sap from pine and Douglas-Fir trees or flying outside about. You may have also heard them buzzing. If you’ve dealt with these bugs, you may also know that they release a distinct odour if squished or if threatened. This is why they have been nicknamed ‘stink bug’ by some, but their official name is the pine seed bug or western conifer seed bug.

These inch long bugs are a nuisance with a frightful appearance. The pine seed bug is elongate in shape and dull reddish brown in colour. It appears pointed at both ends; the antennae are almost the length of the body. A faint, white zigzag line is more or less noticeable across the center of the back (depending on the individual). They can cause quite the shriek as many have the tendency to land on your shoulders or buzz obnoxiously in your hair. Take comfort knowing that they cause very little harm.

Pine seed bugs are a casual invader of Ontario homes in the fall, winter and spring. Pine seed bugs are prevalent during the summer, as this is when they lay their eggs on host plants. They invade homes at night through exterior cracks in windows, doors, eaves, roofs, siding and other points of access. Typically, you will find these bugs on the side of your home touched by sunlight, as pine seed bugs love warm climates.

How do I get rid of pine seed bugs?

Getting rid of pine seed bugs is a much easier task than getting rid of bed bugs or ants. Pine seed bugs do not lay eggs in your home, so luckily the risk of an infestation is low. While pine seed bugs look intimidating, they do not pose a threat to you, your children or your pets. Pine seed bugs do not sting, bite or carry any form of disease, but are rather just a nuisance.

If you spot a pine seed bug, or even a few of them, one of the easiest methods to control the situation is to vacuum or sweep the bugs back outside. It is essential to be vigilant and ward off the threat of a problem before it occurs.

A method of eliminating pine seed bugs from your home is to seal off cracks and gaps in your exterior frame to prevent pests from entering your home again. Experience suggests, however, that comprehensive pest proofing is time-consuming, often impractical and usually not very effective. For large infestations with intolerable numbers of insects, spraying pyrethroid insecticides such as permethrin to the outside of buildings when the insects appear will help prevent pest entry.

If you feel that you may have a pine seed bug infestation or would like a professional opinion, contact experts like Environmental Pest Control.