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HomeProducts
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More on Box Elder Bugs (see below) |
Wednesday - June 13, 2007
Bugg Products LLC, a Minnesota-based company, announced today they have begun marketing a line extension to their very popular Buggslayer® Insecticide that is targeted to control mosquitoes and flying insects. Lasting 10 times longer than conventional pesticides, Buggslayer® Insecticide uses a new, third generation synthetic pyrethroid (deltamethrin) found in the extract of chrysanthemum flowers. This molecule is known to have the most drastic effect of any compound in that mixture of natural insecticides, making it extremely effective at remarkably low use levels.
Mosquito killers available to consumers have generally been limited to concentrated hose-end sprayers and, to a lesser degree, aerosol and propane foggers. The hose-end sprayer provides quick, convenient application of insecticide over a broad area and may kill bugs for a few days while the foggers may last just a couple hours.
Nearly all hose-end sprayer products labeled to specifically kill mosquitoes contain inexpensive permethrin, which has been on the EPA’s list of Group C possible human carcinogens since 1989. The EPA has been reviewing safety and toxicity data of various pesticides on a revolving schedule and issued their findings on permethrin in 2006*. In the report, “the Agency classified permethrin as “Likely to be Carcinogenic to Humans” by the oral route.” Applications include hose-end mosquito killers and crack & crevice sprays applied to carpet.
As a result of this report, one major retailer has asked suppliers of permethrin-based products to innovate and provide more preferred alternatives. Some suppliers have stopped distributing permethrin. This currently has left a void in the marketplace for homeowners who wish to control mosquitoes and other insects in their own yards.
“We heard there was some concern about permethrin which is why we have developed a much safer alternative, deltamethrin, for use in our Buggslayer® Insecticide,” said Brian Weekley, President of Bugg Products LLC. “It is about 1/10 as toxic, provides kill rates 25 times greater, lasts 10 times longer and does not cause cancer. Our concentrate is also the most powerful answer for mosquito control, providing superior effectiveness using extremely low concentrations.”
The preferred method of application is to dilute the water-based concentrate in a hand-pump pressurized sprayer so the product can be precisely directed on areas where mosquitoes rest during the day like shaded lawns and under decks, ornamental plants, flowers and shrubs. Once dried, animals and people can enter the area but mosquitoes and other insect pests will perish when they come in contact with treated surfaces. The product is odorless, non-staining, will not wash away with rain and lasts several weeks.
“We are excited to offer this solution to consumers who have been looking for an effective method to control adult mosquitoes. Buggslayer® is a huge step beyond torches, traps and other gimmicks," said Weekley. "It is also a responsible choice when compared to an automatic misting system, fogger or indiscriminately spraying permethrin. That kind of excessive use of pesticide poses unwarranted risks to health and the environment.”
Bugg Products LLC is located in Long Lake, Minnesota. Their insecticide products are distributed to hardware stores nationwide and sold mainly in the Midwest at retailers such as Ace Hardware, Bachman’s, Mills Fleet Farm, Northern Tool and United Hardware (Hardware Hank & Trustworthy Hardware).
* - A Fact Sheet on the permethrin RED can be found at http://www.epa.gov/oppsrrd1/REDs/factsheets/permethrin_fs.htm
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Wednesday - September 6, 2006
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved Buggslayer Insecticide, an insect killer that provides excellent control of ants, spiders, mosquitoes, ticks and over 50 insect pests. Lasting 10 times longer than conventional pesticides, Buggslayer Insecticide uses a new, third generation synthetic pyrethroid found in the extract of chrysanthemum flowers. This molecule is known to have the most drastic effect of any compound in that mixture of natural insecticides, making it extremely effective at remarkably low use levels.
Buggslayer really works to control Multi-colored Asian lady beetles (MALB) and box elder bugs. They congregate on the west and south sides of homes and buildings in late summer and fall. When the weather turns colder, they gain entrance to the structure through any crack, gap or crevice. Once inside exterior walls, indoor warmth brings them inside and numbers can reach the hundreds, if not thousands. The bugs smell, leave stains and may cause allergic reactions, making intrusion into buildings a serious problem.
Physical exclusion of these bugs by sealing all cracks and gaps is an effective, but cumbersome, control method for most homeowners. There has been no simple solution to this problem available to consumers other than the services of professional exterminators who charge fees starting at $200. They have access to certain restricted-use pesticides that provide residual or extended killing power when applied to the outside surfaces of buildings.
Spraying box elder bugs with soapy water or bleach has been shown to kill most of those directly contacted. Others that come later are not affected and can freely walk on the now stained, or bleached, surface. Consumer insecticides can stain siding and are not registered for that application site. These home remedies and bug killers are also ineffective against MALB while providing little, if any, residual control.
"We have been searching for a solution to this problem due to the continuous requests we have received since first exhibiting at the Minnesota State Fair in 2000," said Brian Weekley, a chemical engineer at Bugg Products LLC. "Hundreds of people, especially in rural areas, have told us of their struggles with these bugs. Most people have a separate vacuum cleaner they use indoors to suck up these bugs all winter and spring. These insects also affect people in urban areas making it a nationwide problem. After years of research, field testing and a lengthy EPA approval process, we received federal registration of this revolutionary product."
Having shown excellent, long-lasting results when used by pest control operators, the professional formula on which Buggslayer is based is so safe, it has been recently approved for stored grain pest control. Buggslayer improves upon that formula by making it into an odorless, non-staining, water-based solution now available for consumer use. When diluted in a hand-pump pressurized sprayer, it can be applied to siding, walls and foundations. Being a multi-purpose insect killer, it can be used on ornamental plants, flowers, shrubs and lawns.
"This is the only concentrated residual insecticide available to consumers with Asian lady beetles on the EPA-approved label. Consumers can now treat their homes one time in the early fall to keep MALB and box elder bugs from congregating on outside walls. With a pint bottle, they can also make several gallons of solution to control other insects the next season," said Weekley. "This provides a significant value to the do-it-yourselfer."
Friday - September 1, 2006
Brace Yourself For Boxelder Bugs
Jeffrey Hahn, Assist. Extension Entomologist - University of
Minnesota
The warm spring and the dry summer we experienced this year has resulted in a larger than normal population of boxelder bugs. This has been obvious in a lot of places as immature boxelder bugs have been commonly seen in gardens and yards since June. The bad news is that these young bugs will grow up to be adult insects which will try to find places to overwinter in our homes. However, you can minimize your problems with them by taking steps to protect your home now.
Boxelder bugs feed primarily on the seeds of boxelder trees. They will also feed on maple and ash seeds. When these insects first hatch, they are bright red. As they start to grow wings, the wing pads are black which gives them a red and black appearance. In normal years, boxelder bug nymphs are usually not very conspicuous. However these brightly colored insects have been found on all types of garden plants and even occasionally on trees and shrubs in yards. They often cluster together to make them even easier to see. Despite any circumstantial evidence, boxelder bugs do not damage garden or landscape plants.
Fortunately, the nymphs are not interested in seeking shelter in buildings at the end of the summer and fall. Those that are still around when temperatures freeze will die. Only the adults will try to get into your home. They are the only stage that survives the winter.
If you have had a garden and yard with large numbers of nymphs that have been present during the summer or your home has a history of attracting boxelder bugs in most years, you should anticipate having problems with them this year. The key to reducing boxelder bugs is to prevent them from entering your home from the start. It is best to use a two pronged strategy to maximize your results.
First seal as many opening as possible that may allow insects into your home. Concentrate along doors, windows, fascia boards, where utility lines enter buildings and similar places. Seal any openings 1/8 inch or larger. This should be done as soon as possible before boxelder bugs start to enter buildings.
You won't be able to make your home so tight that you can keep all insects out. You should supplement your exclusion efforts with a residual insecticide treatment. Make any applications just as these insects first to cluster on the outside of your home, usually early to mid September. Spray insecticide around doors, windows, and roof lines, paying particular attention to the south and west sides where the insects are most common. You can treat your home yourself or contact a licensed pest control service to do it for you. The following are common examples of effective insecticides available to the public:
* bifenthrin, e.g. Ortho®Home Defense MAX® Perimeter
& Indoor Insect Killer
* B-cyfluthrin, e.g. Bayer AdvancedTM Home Pest Control Indoor/Outdoor
Insect Killer
* deltamethrin, e.g. Buggspray®
Buggslayer Insecticide
* lambda cyhalothrin, e.g. Spectracide® Ant Shield® Home
Barrier Insect Killer
* permethrin, e.g. Bonide Eight Garden & Home
* tralomethrin, e.g. Schultz Home Insect Control
These steps should reduce the number of boxelder bugs but it may not completely eliminate the number that get inside. This will be particularly true if high numbers of boxelder bugs are present where you live. For the insects that do get inside, your only real option is to physically remove them, e.g. with a vacuum.
Some boxelder bugs will get into wall voids and attics and will periodically emerge during mild winter days and again in the spring. They did not lay eggs that just hatched. Rather, they are all the result of insects that entered your home during the fall. Just physically remove any that you see.
Thursday - February 16, 2006
Bugs and beetles
The Feb. 7 Fixit column on box elder bugs and Asian lady beetles referred to box elder bugs as beetles. Margot Monson, research fellow at the University of Minnesota's Department of Entomology, wrote to remind Fixit that box elder bugs technically aren't beetles.
"Box elder bugs are members of the family Rhopalidae or the scentless plant bugs, and are in the order true bugs, not beetles. Insects are organized into orders and the order Hemiptera includes many aquatic and terrestrial families, such as water striders, giant water bugs, stink bugs, aphids, cicadas, to name a few."
"The order Coleoptera, or beetles, has more representatives than any order of insects. The often-used term 'lady bug' is incorrect, for the many species in this family are really all beetles, including the Asian lady beetle. So, although all true bugs are insects, not all insects are true bugs."
Saturday - February 11, 2006
In the Fixit column on Page E1 Tuesday, box elder bugs were mistakenly referred to as beetles. They are correctly classified as bugs. Asian lady beetles, also mentioned in the column, are often called lady bugs -- but they are beetles, not bugs.
Tuesday - February 07, 2006
Fixit: Box elder pests make appearance - Karen Youso
Q How do you get rid of box elder bugs? I had a problem last fall
but they went away, and now they are back. Did they lay eggs that
hatched? These look like fully grown insects.
A No, they aren't new insects or hatchlings. The box elder bugs you're seeing now have been with you all winter.
Last fall, the black and orange beetles entered gaps, crevices and cavities in your home's walls and foundation to spend the winter.
Now, the warmer weather has prompted them to become active and seek the outdoors. But they get turned around and end up inside.
Box elder bugs are harmless, but they leave a stain and an unpleasant odor when crushed.
The best way to get rid of them is to simply pick up the bugs with a paper towel. You may need to use a vacuum cleaner for heavy infestations. (Try covering the open end of the vacuum hose with pantyhose to catch the insects and make disposal easier.)
To prevent a return engagement next year, keep the insects from entering in the fall. Seal as many holes, gaps and spaces as you can this summer. That includes around windows, doors, siding and where the foundation meets walls.
The beetles typically congregate on south- or west-facing walls, so you can also spray them with a solution of one-half cup of laundry detergent in a gallon of water. Use a hand sprayer or garden hose attachment. Although that only affects the bugs that are sprayed, it reduces the numbers that get into your house.
Asian lady beetles, too
You may also be seeing Asian lady beetles around your home now. They look like the common ladybug, but are bigger, bolder and have a noticeable bite. Like box elder bugs, they are simply coming out of dormancy. Control is the same, except that they apparently don't succumb to a detergent blast as do box elder beetles.
Made in Minnesota, USA
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8/04/08 - Lou Mandredini (Mr. Fix-it) has praised Buggslayer as a way to control Asian beetles on WMAQ - NBC5 - Chicago.