Many people are afraid or disdain insects. Their fears are not without reasonable soil: many parasites in the apartment spoil furniture and food. True, despite the global development of insecticides, insects have successfully adapted to them and safely survive in any conditions. And even more surprises await those who own the land. For example, a tree bug is not such a rare guest in the country. In a small amount, these bugs do not harm the site, but only they need to multiply ... Eating plant sap, they kill plantings and reduce yield.
What does a wood bug look like?
Bed bugs are represented by a large family. Depending on the species, they may have a completely different appearance. Some are considered pests, others are useful creatures. Globally, bugs belong to the family of half-winged insects with incomplete transformation. The name comes from the special structure of the wings. The hind wings are transparent membranes with obscure veins, and the front elytra are covered with chitin, which makes them stiff.
What does a linen bug look like, the most hated by people from this family? The reddish insect with the complete absence of wings comes to life at night. Bites a man and drinks his blood. The body is flat, which makes it hard to kill, six legs. Unlike brothers, it has distinct segments of the body.
The wood bug looks different. In the people it is also called a stink. Almost everyone who picked berries met him. An inconspicuous green bug. Once it is crushed, a disgusting smell appears in the air. And those individuals who like to eat unwashed berries and fruits can also taste it. The insect bug prefers rose hips and raspberries, but does not disdain other plants.
Transformation Features
Where did the name "wood bug" come from? With the onset of autumn, the green bug turns brown. This is necessary to mask among fallen leaves. During the summer, insects lay eggs twice, attaching them to the back of the foliage. It is noteworthy that on the eggs are small caps through which the larvae leave the shell.
Life cycle
Real defenders go through several stages of development in their lives. Initially, larvae appear from the laid eggs. They are white in color and actively eat, so the female first lays eggs on the leaves so that the children have something to eat. Further, the larva transforms into a nymph. This is almost an adult. Its difference in the absence of wings. During molting, the nymph is freed from the chitinous shell. At this stage, most of the masonry dies. In total, a tree bug lives five rugs in its life. As a result, the individual reaches a size of 1.5 cm.
Bedbugs carry winter easily, falling into a stupor and hiding under foliage. There they safely remain until the warm spring days. Initially, the bug is brown, then black and green. At the last stage of development - a green bug of beautiful color.
Is there any danger?
When a person discovers that a bug bug has captured his area, how to deal with him is the first question. In fact, this group of insects cannot be unambiguously attributed to the group of agricultural pests. The problem becomes when their number reaches a critical point. Since they feed on plant juices, they can cause serious damage to cereal fields and raspberries. Therefore, when guests are discovered on the site, it is better to attend to their destruction.
Ways to fight
Small amounts of wood bugs are easy to assemble by hand. In severe cases, you can try folk methods of struggle. For example, brew an infusion of onion peel. To do this, take a liter of warm water, add a few handfuls of dry onion peel to it and let it brew. Spray all plants with the resulting solution. Also, instead of onion husks, you can use mustard or other bitter remedies.
Since fruits and grains are supposed to be used as food, it is undesirable to use chemical agents - the green woody shield is easily eliminated on its own. Use poisonous substances only when there are a lot of insects.
Why does it stink?
Many people do not know why bedbugs smell so much. Everything is extremely simple: on the back of its cephalothorax, special glands can be found. Their task is to create a special secret, the basis of which is cyamic acid. It is she who gives the smell. In fact, its main task is poisonous, and this makes the bug dangerous to other insects. For humans, acid is completely harmless.
Scientists have several versions of the purpose of the specific smell of bugs:
- scaring off an opponent;
- attracting a female;
- protective mechanism.
Despite the general harmlessness to humans, their smell can ruin raspberries, as the secret affects the taste and aroma of the fruit.
Bed bugs
Mostly bed bugs live at home. Their habitat is upholstered furniture and clothing. But sometimes the shield bug settles in the house. Massively they attack extremely rarely. For humans, completely harmless. They settle in a number of adverse conditions:
- Insects seek warm shelter as a result of a sharp cooling.
- Flooding or fire, bedbugs are simply seeking refuge.
- Insects are introduced with strong winds.
If you find intruders, do not try to deal with them using the same methods as with bed bugs. It is inefficient and useless. Shieldmen do not survive at home, as a result of which they die or go away themselves. Therefore, you can simply manually collect them and take them outside. To prevent their appearance, put mosquito nets on the windows.
We protect the site from guests
Everyone knows that, instead of hatching insects, it is easier to prevent their appearance. Wood bugs do not like pungent odors. Therefore, it is useful to plant such plants as wormwood, tansy, mustard along the perimeter of the site. The most effective is tsimitsifuga. Close all windows with special nets.
Carefully think over the landing pattern. For example, it is better not to plant raspberry bushes near the house, especially under the windows. Otherwise, residents often risk finding intruders. Therefore, it is better to plant raspberries along the fence. But windows and doors do not interfere with spreading with a solution of water and onion husks, as a pungent smell will scare away the bugs.
You can also plant spicy herbs, such as basil or oregano.
Are bites so dangerous?
The closest relatives of the shield bug are bed bugs. Their main disadvantage is bites. But is a wood bug so dangerous in this regard? Not. To begin with, it is worth understanding that they bite extremely rarely. The fact is that their jaw is not adapted for this. All they have is a proboscis. It is they who pierce the leaf or stem of the plant. The bedbug has powerful chewing jaws, it eats spiders and can bite a person.
The scutellum attacks only with a threat to life. As a rule, they are harmless to humans. The bite site should be treated with an antiseptic or ointment. Another thing is if the bite fell on the mucous membrane. Then the appearance of a tumor, redness and itching is likely. In this case, you should consult a doctor to prevent the inflammatory process.
Chemicals
With an excess of wood bugs, it is advisable to use chemical destruction means. But their use is associated with certain difficulties, since pesticides affect the fruits and soil, also poisoning them. Nevertheless, drugs such as Karbofos or Chlorofos are effective against bedbugs. When using them, be sure to wear personal protective equipment such as gloves and a respirator. Carefully read the instructions for use.
Mechanical means of control
In a small amount, wood bugs are easily collected by hand. All that is required is to take a large jar with a narrow neck and a tight lid. Bugs need to be carefully taken by hands and put into a container, and then closed with a lid. It’s easy to catch them, as they are slow. Caught insects should be released off-site.
Biological Means of Control
Folk remedies advise mixing water with pungent plants. For example, with bitter wormwood or onion husks. The resulting aqueous solution is treated with all plants. It will be useful to wipe them door and window jambs.
In any case, remember that any insects are part of nature, and in a small amount they perform their tasks. Therefore, do not try to completely destroy them. Also, before using chemicals, think about how they affect soil and fruit quality. First, try to cope with the means at hand.