& Bugged out

COURTESY PHOTOS The Indian meal moth will lay its eggs in grain, "our and even pet food. Courtesy photo OSU Master Gardeners field questions about some common household pests

LARRY SUTTON Boxelder bugs can be a he Master Gardeners nuisance, but answer hundreds of cause little questions each year on damage in T a variety of gardening Oregon. related issues. By far Courtesy the largest number of questions photo have to do with and spi- ders. Questions can vary from “Do I have a brown recluse in my garage?” (No, there have been no verified brown recluse found in Oregon) to “What do I do with the larvae in my compost pile?” (Leave They will feed on grain-based them there; they are helping with foods such as corn meal, rice, barley, the composting). Two questions that cereal, oatmeal, corn starch, dry appear to have a wide interest are as bread crumbs, any premixed baking follows: product, instant mashed potatoes Q: Each year we seem to be inun- and even unpopped popcorn. dated by a swarm of red and black Dry cat and dog food stored in the insects. They will land on the side of open make great hosts. Spices, pow- our house and occasionally we find dered milk and worst of all, as far them inside on the window sill or as my wife is concerned, chocolate, the floor below the window. What are also of concern. If you are using are they and are they harmful to my The Indian meal moth larvae can grain based rodent baits, they can home or family? infest grains and "our. also attract the pest. Once the pest A: For most people, the western has entered a home it does not take boxelder bug ( rubrolineata) Chemical treatment is never rec- long for it to invade any product that is just a nuisance pest and does no ommended. Chemicals are no more is open and not in a sealed container. damage to homes or other dwellings. eEective than vacuuming and create Chemicals are ineEective against The adult is an oblong shape and far greater problems in the home. If these insects and trying to eradicate will be approximately ½ inch long by you have a tree that is heavily infest- them with a flyswatter, while some- 1 ⁄3 inch wide. Their backs are black ed both adults and nymphs can be times emotionally rewarding, is just with three red stripes on the thorax removed by using a forceful spray of as ineEective. The most eEective way and several red lines on each wing. water. In extreme cases insecticidal to rid your home of them is to deny The abdomen is red. soap may be added. them their source of food. While it is usually the adults that Outside, boxelder bugs do not Check all possible food sources become household pests, the nymphs cause damage to ornamental trees. and if infected, get rid of them. You can be found on boxelder trees However, they can cause distortion will know they are infected by the (hence their name) with occasional or puckering on fruits. They pose no presence of a web surrounded larvae appearances on ash and trees. threat, other than nuisance to people or small silken threads inside the Some nut and fruit trees will also and pets. If and when they make container. attract them. it into your home, they can cause Food should be stored in food safe As you have noticed, they do tend some discoloration to curtains if not containers that contain either screw- to congregate on the sunny side of removed early. on caps or snap-on caps that provide your home in August and Septem- Q: I am seeing more and more of a an airtight seal. Plastic bags, tinfoil, ber. After the fall mating, they will tiny moth-like creature in my home. or cellophane are no deterrent; they migrate in large groups looking for They fly around as if lost going in can wiggle into almost anything to sheltered areas. In your case, the first one direction and then anoth- lay their eggs. place they chose was your home. er. How do I evict these unwanted If you must keep your food in bags They will sometimes work their guests from our once happy home? or boxes, store the containers in the way into your home, if you have A: Your pest is probably the Indian freezer or refrigerator. Bulk pet food openings around your windows or meal moth or the Mediterranean and bird seed can be stored in its doors. The best way to stop their flour moth. Both have a half inch original container if kept inside a entry is to patch cracks and replace wing span and fly erratically when garbage container in the garage. worn screens on windows or doors. in the air. The Indian meal moth is Once the bugs are inside, they can a silver beige color and has coppery Do you have a gardening question? be removed by simply vacuuming colored wings. The Mediterranean Please email, call, or visit the them up. When you finish vacuum- flour moth has silvery-beige wings Douglas County Master Gardener ing, take the bag outside to empty it. with dark flecks. Plant Clinic at douglasmg@ Keeping a full bag of boxelder bugs Unlike most insects which comes oregonstate.edu, 541-672-4461, or attached to your vacuum cleaner into your home uninvited, these two 1134 S.E. Douglas Ave., Roseburg. just hides them until they crawl out moths are brought into the home and once again infest your home. A by humans; they feed on many food Douglas County Master Gardeners word of caution is needed here. Do products found in your kitchen and are trained volunteers who help the not crush these bugs. When crushed, usually are brought into the house as OSU Extension Service serve the they give oE an oEensive odor. eggs in one of these products. people of Douglas County.