Why Western Conifer Seed Bugs Become Noticeable in Fall
Western conifer seed bugs spend much of the warmer season outdoors among pine, spruce, fir, and other conifers. They consume seeds and cones and do not consume household items.
With the decreasing temperatures in Barrie during the fall season, adults start to search for shelters where they will be able to stay safe during winter. Houses can offer them the suitable environment that they are searching for. A Barrie pest control expert can help confirm the insect when homeowners are unsure what they are seeing.
That is why people can see a considerable number of bugs in just a few days. It does not mean that the bugs suddenly appeared in the neighbourhood. They might be living outdoors all summer without being noticed.
Sunny fall weather can make their activity more visible. Western conifer seed bugs can become active due to warming surfaces during the day and can move to safe areas because of the decreasing temperature.
Finding them inside the houses during the fall season does not mean that they breed throughout the house. In most cases, homeowners see adults that react to seasonal temperature changes.
How to Know If You’re Looking at a Conifer Seed Bug
Western conifer seed bugs are rather large compared to many other insects that invade buildings. They are brown, elongated, and narrow-bodied insects with long antennae and long legs.
One of the most important diagnostic characteristics of this species is the shape of the hind legs. The parts of the lower hind legs are flattened and widened, which gives them a leaf-like look. That is why western conifer seed bugs are a part of a group of bugs that are commonly called leaf-footed bugs.
Another useful characteristic is the pale marking on the folded wings. The homeowners can see a light-coloured zigzag or band in the middle of the insect’s back.
Due to their brown colour and rather large size, they can be confused with stink bugs. However, the latter have a shield-shaped body while western conifer seed bugs have a rather long and narrow body.
If you are seeing a large brown bug in the house with an elongated body, long antennae, and widened hind legs, a western conifer seed bug is one possibility. Correct identification matters because its behaviour indoors is different from pests that feed, reproduce, or damage materials inside the home.
Should You Be Concerned If They Show Up Indoors?
Although they look threatening due to their size, they can be described as nuisance pests that are found within houses.
They do not sting or bite people and do not feed on things in the home, which include stored food, furniture and clothing. Being found in the house is mostly connected with the need to find a warm place and not the hunt for food.
Another problem with which homeowners may come across in relation to the bugs is odour. If the bugs get disturbed, crushed or are handled roughly, it causes them to give off an offensive smell. This is why squashing them is not a good solution.
Finally, seeing them in the house does not necessarily mean that the insects reproduce there. Adult ones move into places, where they will not freeze during the winter period, and then may appear inside homes when warm spots occur because of sunny days and increase in temperatures indoors.
The primary reason why Barrie homeowners worry about the bugs is the high numbers of them rather than damage.
What to Do If You Keep Finding Seed Bugs in Your Home
In case you have one or two western conifer seed bugs inside your home, it is possible to get rid of them without applying insecticides.
It is easy to catch an insect in a jar and put it outdoors. A vacuum cleaner can be helpful in removing a few bugs, especially when they are hard to reach.
It is better not to squash them as squashed insects give off a bad smell and sometimes make stains on white surfaces.
If you keep finding many seed bugs, you may need a professional to identify the bugs you have since western conifer seed bugs are easily confused with other brown bugs that behave in a different way.
It might be necessary to reach out to a professional pest control company in Barrie if one continues or persists. It is essential to find out exactly which insect it is, discover why there is activity, and select the proper approach.
Western conifer seed bugs will be more of a nuisance than a threat to the majority of homeowners. It helps to know what they look like and why they show up in autumn. Simcoe PestX can help when identification or recurring activity becomes difficult to manage.