BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER > DISEASE & PEST CONTROL

Assassin bugs

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Occam:
Here in my area (Oklahoma, USA) we have a few species of assassin bugs which is great around the garden for keeping different pests under control. This year however I've noticed every time I go out to visit the bees I'll find at least one or two crawling around the hives, as many as 4 one time. Many times I've found them with a bee clutched having snagged it to snack on. I also happened to find one inside the lid when I removed the telescoping lid (between the inner cover and telescoping lid). The bees generally seem to keep their distance but they definitely get caught and killed, and I'm sure more than I'm aware of as well. Have any of you ever had problems with these guys, and if so what do you do? I have been knocking them down and killing them with my boot or cutting them in half with my knife when I find them, unsure of what else to do. Or should I even bother and just let nature take its course?

The15thMember:
Friend Wheel Bug!  I love wheel bugs, so personally, if it was me, I'd just let them eat the bees.  :embarassed:  They probably don't catch more than a few a day anyway.  Or better yet, just pick them up and move them to your garden.  My mom found one in her garden last week, caught a Mexican bean beetle, set it in front of him, and he nailed it immediately!  They are usually quite docile, but their bites are very painful (although not highly venomous or dangerous), so do wear gloves or be careful not to antagonize them if you pick them up.  They put their first pair of legs in the air and do a little ninja dance when they feel threatened.  :grin:  I found a final instar nymph on our sidewalk the other day, coaxed him onto a stick and then onto my sweatshirted arm, and he was cool just hitching a ride to the garden.  As you say, they are phenomenal for garden pest control, as they are an apex predator of the insect world.  If you put them near another food source, I doubt they'll move back to the bees.         

Occam:
Unfortunately the garden is only 25 feet from the bees so it's too tempting for them to stay at the garden, ive watched them fly from the garden to the beehive. I'll probably just leave them be from now on, I do like them around the garden just wish they'd leave the bees alone.

The15thMember:

--- Quote from: Occam on July 16, 2023, 10:29:29 pm ---Unfortunately the garden is only 25 feet from the bees so it's too tempting for them to stay at the garden, ive watched them fly from the garden to the beehive. I'll probably just leave them be from now on, I do like them around the garden just wish they'd leave the bees alone.

--- End quote ---
My hives are closer than that to our garden, and I never have any trouble with them.  Are there lots of other insects in your garden? 

Ben Framed:
I've never had any problem with this species of bug Occam, I am sorry that I am not any help on this one..

Phillip

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