the essentials in brief
- Garden bugs don't bite; Its secretion is also non-toxic, but it smells very bad
- Control only makes sense if the garden bugs are really a nuisance
- Contact insecticides are used to combat it, but these are also harmful to humans and pets
- You can drive away garden bugs with strong-smelling substances such as mint or garlic
Are garden bugs dangerous?
If you spot garden bugs there is nothing to worry about. The insects are not poisonous and can neither sting nor bite with their proboscis. They do not run out of supplies and are also not known to be pests. Only their defensive secretion can become a nuisance. The animals secrete this when they feel threatened. The substance is neither dangerous nor harmful to humans or pets.
also read
- The gray garden bug: pest or beneficial?
- Fire beetle - dangerous pest or useful?
- Walnut fly - a portrait of the pest
Fight gray garden bugs?
Fighting garden bugs does not make sense in most cases, as the animals do not pose a threat. Contact insecticides, which kill the insects effectively, are used to combat pests. However, these agents are not safe because they can be harmful to health and have negative effects on the environment.
the Garden bug is anything but dangerous. Fighting it is only sensible and advisable in an extreme emergency.
Pyrethroids
Means with this synthetic insecticide are preferably used to get rid of bedbugs of all kinds. The main active ingredients are based on the natural insecticide pyrethrum, which is obtained from Tanacetum species.
This is how the remedy works:
- effect: causes spastic paralysis in pests, which ends fatally
- side effect: does not act selectively, it also kills beneficial insects
- advantage: Has a disgusting effect on bees in the wild
Diatomaceous earth
The chalk-like powder consists of fossil remains of diatoms and is used to combat insects. Diatomaceous earth contains clay, iron oxide and silicon dioxide. In combination, the components ensure that the protective layer of the insect shell is destroyed when touched. As a result, the bedbugs dehydrate and die.
Glue traps
The insects are attracted by sweet fragrances and stick to the tape. This method results in lengthy and excruciating death and should be avoided.
What to do in the event of a plague?
The garden bug is reluctant to be seen in the apartment
Instead of killing the bedbugs, you should use disgusting substances. There are some substances that the bugs don't like at all. With self-made solutions, you can effectively drive away the insects.
Tips
Pay attention to high humidity in the garden, because the garden bug loves drought and heat. Mulching Your plants regularly.
garlic
Spray a solution of 500 milliliters of water and four teaspoons of garlic powder into the bugs' whereabouts. You are put off by the intense smell and look for another retreat.
mint
Alternatively, you can mix half a liter of water with about ten drops of mint oil and spray this solution into the hiding places. Mint has a similar effect to garlic and does not poison the insects. Instead of mint oil you can also use fresh leaves of peppermint or Catnip use.
Fly screens
To prevent the bugs from getting into your apartment in the first place, you should equip windows and doors with fly screens. Make sure that all gaps and cracks are closed.
Tips
Birds and toads are natural enemies of bed bugs. Create a diverse habitat in which these animals feel comfortable.
Characteristics
The hides behind the garden bug Gray garden bug (Rhaphigaster nebulosa), which is sometimes referred to as the common garden bug or gray field bug. The species belongs to the stink bug family. The insects are characterized by a plump build and a conspicuous pronotum.
Typical for stink bugs:
- shield-shaped body
- five-part antennae
- well developed wings
Detect bugs
The garden bug can be recognized by its gray base color, which has dirty yellow to brown nuances. Irregularly distributed point pits can be seen on the body. Often the forewings are covered by a dark brown speckled membrane. The side edge of the abdomen, on which a black and yellow pattern is denounced, is striking. The antennae are also ringed black and yellow, with the third and fifth links always appearing yellow. Garden bugs have a proboscis.
The gray garden bug has a beautiful gray-black pattern
Digression
Blood-sucking bugs
One of these species is Psallus varians, which multiplies in midsummer and shows rather unnatural behavior, especially in atypical weather conditions. In 2016 there were numerous reports of bites caused by this bug. The bite caused an allergic reaction in the form of mild inflammation.
Stink bugs
While many stink bugs are strikingly colorful, there are some species that are similar to the garden bug. Many species change their coloration depending on the season so that they are better protected from natural predators. The bedbugs live in similar habitats as most species feed on plant saps.
coloring | size | habitat | |
---|---|---|---|
Forest Guardian | brown with black dots | 10 to 13 millimeters | Forests, clearings |
Strip bug | red-black striped | 8 to 12 millimeters | open to partially shaded areas |
Common stink bug | green with dark spots | 12 to 13.5 millimeters | Deciduous trees, herb layer |
Confusion of names
Occasionally, all of the bedbugs that appear in the garden are referred to as garden bugs. Many of them, such as cabbage bug, pointed bug or berry bug, are dreaded plant pests and should not be confused with the gray garden bug. If you find bedbugs on your crops, you should first identify the species and then decide on possible control measures.
Way of life and development
The garden bug is diurnal and tied to warm temperatures. It prefers to overwinter on facades that are overgrown with ivy. Often cracks or crevices are found so that the bugs often get lost in houses and apartments. Like all stink bugs, the garden bug only develops one generation per year.
From egg to bug
The females lay their eggs in late spring. You glue these in slices or strips to different parts of the plant. The hatched larvae are colored differently and do not yet have wings. They go through several stages between which they molt. From the third stage onwards, short stub wings can be seen.
behavior
Larvae and adult bedbugs display similar behavior. To ward off enemies, the animals secrete a stinking secretion. The insects are not very good at flying. Loud buzzing sounds are audible during their sluggish flight.
food
Garden bugs live on various deciduous trees and feed on sap. Leaves or fruit are also on their menu. To get to the liquid, they use their long proboscis. With this they occasionally suck out dead insects.
The gray garden bug is a herbivore
Overwinter
In winter, garden bugs form aggregations in their wintering quarters in order to warm each other. They use various crevices and cavities that provide sheltered conditions. These could be cracks in walls or bark scales from plane trees. Garden houses or nesting boxes also serve as winter quarters.
distribution
The gray garden bug is the only species of the genus Rhaphigaster to be found in Central Europe, although it is more common in the south than in the north. The species has spread rapidly in Germany since 2000 and is now also found on the north German coast. The garden bug is more common in cities than in the surrounding area. This is due to the increased warming of the urban areas, which favors the spread of the species.
In the flat
When winter is just around the corner, garden bugs start looking for winter quarters. Attracted by light sources and heat, the insects get lost in apartments and houses. They get into the rooms through open windows and doors, where they do no damage. A fruit plate on the living room table is a magical attraction for the bugs. They suck the juice from peaches, pears or apples and leave behind spoiled fruits.
On the house wall
In some years garden bugs can be seen en masse on house walls. Such mass gatherings are particularly common in warm years, as the animals can reproduce well under these optimal conditions. The heat-loving insects settle on the sunny side of house facades and can accidentally penetrate the apartments. As soon as the sun disappears and the temperatures drop again, the bugs are gone too.
frequently asked Questions
Do garden bugs stink?
Many stink bugs have stink glands that allow them to give off a foul odor. Some of the substances are toxic and can stun attackers or prey. Garden bugs also have such stink glands, which are located on the underside of the breast. Even the nymphs use the glands to ward off enemies.
Do bed bugs indicate an unsanitary apartment?
If you find garden bugs in your home, there is nothing to worry about. The stink bugs have no interest in human food or damp niches. You are simply looking for suitable winter quarters and retreat to warm niches.
Can garden bugs bite?
Even if the insects seem unsettling with their long proboscis, the animals cannot sting through human skin. They use their mouthparts to pierce the outer skin of leaves or fruits. Occasionally, they also suck up dead insects.
When are garden bugs active?
The insects leave their winter quarters as soon as the thermometer rises to over ten degrees Celsius. They usually go in search of food at the beginning of March. If the winter is particularly mild or ends early, the insects can be observed earlier.