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10-28-2004 |
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The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has never released Asian Lady Beetles (ALB) and is in no way responsible for the hordes of the insects that have been plaguing many West Virginia homes, according to Commissioner of Agriculture Gus R. Douglass . In fact, the only one to blame may be Mother Nature herself. "Although other states have used Asian Lady Beetles as biological pest controls in the past, this particular species is thought to have entered the United States in cargo coming through the Port of New Orleans ," said Commissioner Douglass. Commissioner Douglass noted that he has approached the U.S. Department of Agriculture about the complaints he has received over the years about the lady beetle problem here, but little progress has been made in finding an effective control method for the insects. "My office has received numerous calls and e-mails over the past few days asking us to do something, but there is little that can be done on a wide-scale basis. There are a number of control activities individuals can take at their own residences, though." The first recommendation is to exclude the insects by sealing up cracks in siding and windows and other points of entry into the home. Second is to vacuum up and dispose of the beetles when they come into the house. The beetles exude a bitter smelling fluid when they are crushed or alarmed, so it is not advisable to use your indoor vacuum because it can pick up the odor. Use a "shop vac," or use a nylon stocking in the vacuum tube to catch the insects before they go down into the motor. Pull off the hose tip, push the toe down into the hole, wrap the top of the stocking around the outside of the tube and replace the tip. Treating around the home with insecticides is also an option. Here are some products for structure-invading insects: Bayer Advanced Home Pest Control Or look for products with these ingredients: Bifrenthrin "This infestation highlights the dangers posed by invasive species and the work the WVDA does behind the scenes to protect the state's crops, plants and trees," said Commissioner Douglass. Other invasive species could be more of a nuisance than the Asian Lady Beetles. "Not to minimize the tremendous problems that the beetles create - I and numerous members of my staff are also fighting infestations - but many species could do grave economic harm to this state," said Commissioner Douglass. Sudden Oak Death (SOD), the Emerald Ash Borer and the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid are a few of the species threatening our forests. Oak trees alone provide the state with a $4 billion a year economic benefit. For more information, contact WVDA Communications Officer Buddy Davidson at (304)558-3708 or (304)541-5932 or bdavidson@ag.state.wv.us. The West Virginia Department of Agriculture protects plant, animal and human health through a variety of scientific, regulatory and consumer protection programs, as mandated by state law. The Commissioner of Agriculture is one of six statewide elected officials in West Virginia. Currently, Commissioner Gus R. Douglass is the longest-serving agriculture commissioner in the nation. For more information, visit www.wvagriculture.org. |
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