"Invasion" ~ by mrua7 for Writer's Choice.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

It's unofficially summer here and with that can come unwanted 'guests.'  This story was inspired by  personal experience with some unwelcome visitors.

"Invasion"

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

I am so very, very pleased that we don't get stink bugs here. I don't mind creepy crawlies (with the exception of millipedes), but they sound awful. Loved the story.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

They seem to be drawn to heat, like the television screen or near the windows or light bulbs.

If only one or two, they're easy enough to pick up with a paper towel and flush down the loo. What creeps me out is laying on the sofa at night watching the telly in the dark and then hearing the fluttering of the wings somewhere in the room. Gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

I had an infestation in the bedroom one year, they were all under the heaters. Had to spray them with insecticide and then vacuum them out. Haven't had any the last few years...knock on wood.

[glennagirl.livejournal.com]

Oh my... now I'll be on the lookout for bugs😕

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

I heard putting slivers of Irish Spring Soap around your windows chases them off, but I never tried it and hope I never have to.

here are ten ways to get rid of them, but not much in the way of prevention. LOL!

1. Use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the bugs - UMD Bulletin.

2. Cut the top of a half gallon or gallon jug, fill it with soapy water and use a piece of cardboard or a napkin to whisk the bugs into the water, which will drown them - UMD Bulletin.

3. Seal up cracks around windows and doors with caulk or weather stripping. - UMD Home and Garden Information Center.

4. Take out window-unit air conditioners; stink bugs can easily get through these. - UMD HGIC.

5. Plant or move fruit trees and vegetable gardens, especially tomato plants, away from your home to prevent stink bugs from landing on the exterior of your home. - UMD HGIC.

6. Squish stink bugs outdoors--the odor warns other stink bugs to flee. - Bayer Advanced insect control.

7. Hang a stink bug trap outside your house to catch them. - UMD Bug Guy, Mike Raupp, YouTube.

8. Hang a damp towel outside your home overnight. In the morning, stink bugs will blanket the towel, and you can use a vacuum or knock them into a jug of soapy water to kill them. - Bayer Advanced

9. Although most insecticides are ineffective against stink bugs, some do work, but the bug must be clearly on the label. Insecticides are never to be used indoors - UMD HGIC

10. Check your attic for holes or gaps and close them up. Stinkbugs often enter through attics -