True Bugs Questions
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ELIMINATING
BED BUGS:
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Email |
I've had my room fumigated for the
second time, this time there appears
to be no trace of them. But they seem
to be hard to get rid of, do you have
any advice for me please. (Tue, 30 Jan
2001) |
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Answer |
Bedbugs are a very rare occurence in
California. Typically if you clean
regularly the bugs will not persist.
They may hide during the day in linens
and under mattress covers. Perhaps
changing your mattress, and regularly
cleaning your new linens will help.
Additionally, clean any areas around
the bed where they may be able to
hide, and make a habit of cleaning
those potential hiding places
regularly. A sign of continued
infestation will be dark stains on the
sheets, caused by their excretions. |
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DETECTING
BED BUGS:
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Email |
I was wondering if you have any
information on how to detect where
bedbugs are hiding and how to
eradicate them? Assistant Director
Building Services, Housing &
Conferences, University of British
Columbia (Tue, 30 Jan 2001) |
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Answer |
Bedbugs, family Cimicidae, are an
extremely rare occurence in most well
kept residences. The insects require
undisturbed areas in which to hide
during the day. At night they pierce
the skin of sleeping victims and suck
small amounts of blood. If your
housing areas are regularly cleaned
the chances of a bedbug infestation is
very low. They might live in the
sheets and linens of beds, or under
matress covers. They also produce dark
stains on the sheets from the
excretions of digested blood. So that
would be a good way to confirm their
presence. But a thorough cleaning and
continued sanitation of an area would
make their existence very unlikely.
There may be additional information on
the following website: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu |
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STINK
BUGS INVASION:
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Email |
Help! Invaded by stink bugs three
miles north of Sebastopol. Where do
they come from and how do we stop
them? In this 1920's public school
building there are many gaps beneath
exterior doors which cannot be totally
sealed. First invasion in 10 years
here. PLEASE HELP or suggest
information source.. (Tue, 31 Oct
2000) |
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Answer |
We are not positive what stink bugs
you are refering to. Regardless, they
are probably coming inside ot
overwinter or as a result of the
temperature changes. It is likely that
you can reduce future problems by
locating the source of the insects.
they may be feeding on a specific tree
in your yard or nearby. How to best to
control them really depends on what
kind they are. here is a web site that
may eb able to help: LINK
Furthermore, and this may not be of
much consolation, but if the invasions
are only every ten years, it may not
be worth a major time investment since
it may go away on it's own. |
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WHAT
DO WE FEED OUR TENEBRIONIDAE PET???:
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Email |
My daughter has a California beetle
that we've always called a "Stink
Beetle". We have come to find out
that it is of the Coleoptera
Tenebrionidae family. How do we care
for this little fellow??? (Mon, 6 Nov
2000) |
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Answer |
Tenebrionids are one of the most
diverse families of beetle in
california. Most of them are quite
resilient and omnivorous. Your beetle
would probably prefer to be kept dry
and warm, but never hot, or in direct
sun. It should eat a variety of
starches and veggies. Ideally i would
offer it unsalted sunflower seeds, or
something similar, and a few chunks of
carrot, and possibley a chunk of dog
food for protein if you have it.
Remove items that get moldy. The
beetle could live for many years with
relatively little care, given the
right conditions. |
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BUG
IDENTIFICATION:
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Email |
I found a strange bug in my home
this date...it appears exactly the
same as <family coreidae> with
one exception..it has only four
legs.back legs are the same.etc. would
you identify this species for
me..thanks.
Firstly,I would like to thank you
for your prompt answer..I have
examined this bug under a magnifying
glass, unable to fine legs tucked
against the body, there are extremely
small nubbing protruding from the
body,where I suppose legs should
be...a further point which might
assist you - between the two 4
sectioned feelers,there is very fine
tube like structure, this appeared to
start at the mouth and was tucked
under the body, it is about l in.
long...it is not an assasin bug. (Mon,
12 Mar 2001) |
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Answer |
If the insect you have found looks
like a Coreid but with four legs, then
it might be an assasin bug. All
insects have six legs in the adult
stage, no exceptions. But sometimes
those front legs are modified. Assasin
bugs often hold their front legs up
against the body and so appear to only
have four legs. Check out a picture of
the assasin bugs, and take a careful
look at the front end of your bug to
see if it isn't "hiding"
that extra set of legs. Be careful if
it is an assasin bug, some species can
give a nasty bite when provoked... |
