JOHN DAY – It’s that buggy time of year.

The Oregon State University Extension Office gets calls about grass bugs every year. They become such a nuisance because the small bugs have no known predators in northeast Oregon and rapidly reproduce.

These tiny insects emit a smell that’s been compared to Listerine and Pine-Sol.

One of the best methods of protection against infestations is to seal doors and windows; however this only slows them down. Other recommendations are to treat the entry points of your home with an over the counter spray or insecticide that you can get at the hardware store.

Keep your vacuum cleaner handy as this has proven to be the easiest way removes them from your home.

Research on how to better control the infestation of this bug is slow because as of now it is only a nuisance and not an economic threat.