For a while, stink bugs seemed to disappear. It was almost as if they took a
vacation. But they’re starting to crop
up in the news again, as farmers report bug sightings as far away as Idaho and
Oregon. And some folks are predicting a
fall season like 2010.
We know that stink bugs make their way out of homes in the
spring to feed, mate, lay eggs and die. The
new generation grows up and continues munching on crops before they make their
way indoors and take shelter from the cold.
Right now, the concern is for farmers and their crops. A
bigger stink population means more damage to fruits and vegetables. Stink bugs
insert their proboscis into the produce and suck the juices out, rendering it
unsellable. Oregon, home to many
orchards, is one of the newest areas to be threatened by stink bugs.
Farmers rely on increased pesticide use to combat the bug,
but stink bugs are quite resistant to conventional pest control protocols. Because of crop shortages and expensive
pesticides, prices go up, and you feel the pinch the next time you’re shopping
for apples and peaches.
Do you think the predictions will come true and we’ll have a
stinkpocalypse this year? Have you seen the price of produce go up in your area
due to stink bug damage? Let us know in the comments!
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