Bugged

Over the past 10 years or so I've noticed some real changes in local insect life. Dozens of red-and-black box-elder bugs used to cluster on the outside of windows for a few weeks in the autumn; now I rarely see even one. And I used to set out traps for those iridescent Japanese beetles, and I'd have to replace the full bags several times in mid-summer. Now there are just a few of the beetles, and all they do is eat a few zinnia and four-o'-clock leaves rather than ruining whole plants.

As far as stink bugs go, I've seen a few immature ones in the garden, but nothing inside the house yet. It has been so nice these past few months not to have to cope with them at all! Let's hope it lasts. But a high-school pal of mine who is marketing a clever stink bug trap (http://www.indoorstinkbugtrap.com/) predicts they will be four to ten times worse this year, if you can imagine.

"Newer homes are less prone to infestation, but any home that is roof/attic vented is a prime target for the stinky critters," he says.