Stink Bugs

Top 21. Sep 23, 2005 2:07 AM

» action1292 - Hey there

I live in Schwenksville which is south of Allentown and I noticed that I have been getting more and more of them in my house. Any good ways of getting rid of them in house?

-- posted by action1292

Top 22. Oct 28, 2005 10:27 AM

» dejablues - Re: Stinkbugs

In response to Hey there posted by action1292:

I live in Lansdale PA, south of Allentown, and I'm overrun by stinkbugs! I first noticed them last winter. They hide in drawers and they drive me CRAZY. My husband found a bunch of them in the air conditioner when he took it out of the window. I'd love to know how to get rid of them.

-- posted by dejablues

Top 23. Dec 7, 2005 6:52 PM

» shel1983 - Re: Re: Stink bugs

In response to Re: Stink bugs posted by Aphodius:

I live in the western panhandle of maryland, not far from PA and we have had a problem with these brown stinkbugs since last summer (2004) I also read about the asian stink bugs in allentown and i also thought that they might be the same kind that we have.

-- posted by shel1983

Top 24. Dec 31, 2005 6:39 AM

» shannonsharp - Re: Re: Stinkbugs

Here is an article I found. I live in Bern Twp and we have tons in our house! I see five a night in my bedroom...I will be in a looney bin soon, they drive me nuts, they dont even fly straight, and they are loud when they fly.

Asian Stink Bug, Uninvited, Shows Up In Allentown, Pa.

The first infestation of brown marmorated stink bugs (Pentatomidae: Halyomorpha halys) in the United States has been positively confirmed in Allentown, Pa., by a Cornell University entomologist.
The bug is indigenous to Asia and is considered a major agricultural pest in Japan.

Throughout parts of Allentown, the insects are in trees and in houses, where they produce a pungent, malodorous chemical.

"Imagine hundreds of them inside your house. There is no insecticide to get rid of them. The only thing you can do is sweep them up and throw them back outdoors," says E. Richard Hoebeke, Cornell senior extension associate in entomology. "And even after that, they want to come inside again where it is warm."

Why Allentown? Hoebeke speculates that the adult insects stowed away inside bulk freight containers arriving from Asia. "That's usually how some invading insects get here," he says.

The Lehigh County, Pa., Cooperative Extension office has been receiving many inquiries from concerned homeowners. "There were lots of phone calls, lots of complaints," says Karen Bernhard, an entomologist in the extension office. "A lot of people have called because they really hate it. They really, really hate it."

The bugs get their name from scent glands on the abdomen and under the wings. When the animal is disturbed, the scent glands discharge an unpleasant scent that spreads as the wings flap. The insect is about three-quarters of an inch long, with a brown, marble-like exoskeleton covering its body.

Adult stink bugs like to stay in warm places, like houses and under rocks, throughout the winter, says Hoebeke. In the winter months, the bug goes into a diapause (a period of delayed development) until the spring thaw. Its blood contains glycerol, which serves as a natural antifreeze.

As the days warm in the spring, the emerging adult stink bugs mate, and the female deposits her eggs on the leaves of fruit trees. By May, the nymphs feed on the host fruit trees and by midsummer molt into adults. Hoebeke says that since the insects are frequent flyers, they will spread out from around the Allentown area.

They can fly hundreds of yards at a time, and their flights in search of overwintering sites peak around the third week of October. By the end of November, the stink bugs stop flying and hunker down for winter.

The insect also can be a severe agricultural pest, threatening apples, pears, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus, persimmon and soy beans. The stink bugs have a particular affinity for Fuji apples, according to scientific literature from Japan, China and South Korea. In the late summer months, the insect inserts its stylet-like mouth parts into the fruit to feed. This stylet feeding causes "cat-facing" on the fruit, making it unmarketable.

The stink bug probably has been in Allentown for about four years, according to Bernhard, but was not positively identified until last week, when the Lehigh County extension office sent specimens to Hoebeke, a taxonomist and assistant curator of the Cornell University Insect Collection, one of the world's largest insect repositories. He found a match among specimens collected from Harima, Japan, in May 1916.

How should Allentown residents cope with the infesting stink bugs? Says Bernhard: "People may not want to hear this, but they're going to have to tighten up their houses." - By Blaine P. Friedlander, Jr.

-- posted by shannonsharp

Top 25. Jan 22, 2006 8:49 PM

» sparkle852 - Re: Re: Re: Stink bugs

I did a search on the internet on how to get rid of these nasty stink bugs. I read your posting and thought maybe, possibly, you found a way to get rid of these disgusting bugs. I live in Hagerstown and they are taking over my house along with these generic lady bugs people here call elder bugs.
Thanks

-- posted by sparkle852

Top 26. Jan 26, 2006 4:16 PM

» sexysteelerfan - Re: Re: Re: Stinkbugs

In response to Re: Re: Stinkbugs posted by shannonsharp:

Hi, I read your article and where it is all very interesting, how on earth do you get rid of these pests from you know where. I live in the city of Pittsburgh and Have lived in the same home for 19 years and this is the first years we have ever had a problem with these things. We have had exterminators in our home three times already and they still come back, they are worse than timex watches!!! Today I reached for the toothpaste and grabbed one of these things with the toothpaste, talk about a rather rude awakening. They do hide in dresser drawers, Laundry Hampers, and any other place that you are not expecting them. I swear soon I'm going to need prozac. Does anyone know how to get rid of them??? They have to have a weakness. Please help.

-- posted by sexysteelerfan

Top 27. Feb 20, 2006 9:59 AM

» iluvbillcow3r - Re: Re: Re: Stinkbugs

In response to Re: Re: Re: Stinkbugs posted by sexysteelerfan:

So I have come to the conclusion that stink bugs will be around longer than the cock roach. I was doing laundry today and dont know how one got in the washer, but after going thru the entire wash cycle...thats right he crawled right out of the washer when I opened the lid. Now that I have seen that, Im kinda terrified about flushing them down the toilet. One day they are going to get me back when I least expect it!

-- posted by iluvbillcow3r

Top 28. May 18, 2006 6:53 AM

» spacytracy - Re: Re: Re: Stinkbugs

In response to Re: Re: Re: Stinkbugs posted by iluvbillcow3r:

I came across this site, I live in Emmaus, and we are overrun with these stupid bugs! They fly around and land on me while I'm sleeping and I freak out!
Our method for getting rid of them is vacumming them up and then dumping the contents in the toilet. Not really a preventative but I hate making the bed in the morning and finding them!
THEY ARE HORRIBLE!

-- posted by spacytracy

Top 29. Jun 1, 2006 10:43 AM

» danajane - Re: Re: HELP!!!!

In response to Re: Re: HELP!!!! posted by starrinightskies:

i have the same problem...i just found this...

STINK BUG CONTROL

This article is about STINK BUG control.
It will explain why they are a pest and what
needs to be done for controlling infestations.
PLEASE NOTE: YOU CAN SEE PICTURES AND PRICING
OF ALL THE PRODUCTS LISTED IN THIS ARTICLE BY
CLICKING YOUR MOUSE CURSOR WHERE PRODUCTS APPEAR
UNDERLINED IN THE TEXT BELOW. Most of your
questions will be answered in the article. Be
sure to read all of it before you call in for
technical support.
If you are looking for information about
any other insect or animal, go to our article
archive section by following the link below where
you will find in depth articles and information
on just about any pest.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR ARTICLE SELECTION PAGE

Stink bugs are active throughout all of the United
States. Generally found in the garden, stink bugs will
find their way into homes and structures when fall
evenings start to turn cold. They acquired their name
from a natural defense they have which is to release
a smell that "stinks". This smell enables them
to avoid getting eaten by several species of birds
and lizards. If you have ever handled a stink bug you
probably know the smell! They will release it onto
most any surface they land and it will last a long
time. This odor is one of the main reasons they
will return year after year to any structure which
is used as a hibernating den. If your home starts
to harbor hibernating stink bugs it is best you
get rid of them before the infestation gets out
of control. This article will help detail some
basic biology about stink bugs and then offer
practical solutions you can apply to stop
infestations before they get to that level.
Stink bugs are in the family of insects known
as pentatomidae. There are hundreds of subspecies
located around the world and the United States
has several which are active in and around the
home. Generally thought of as an agricultural
pest, stink bugs will readily take up residence
around any garden or landscape rich with plants
and flowers. Stink bugs have a shield shaped body
which is very wide and measure about 1/2 inch long.
The most common species range in color from green
to brown. One species is a bright red and black.
Not only can they emit an odor which "stinks"
but many people have an allergic reaction to
this secretion so it is best to leave them
alone. Stink bugs hibernate during cold winter
months and will emerge in the spring as temperatures
rise. Adults mate in the spring and females
will lay eggs on plants. These eggs will be
laid in groups and are not plant specific.
Young will go through 5 stages to reach
adulthood and this will occur in about three
months. During this time they will feed on
just about anything available. Plant juices
like honeydew seem to be their choice of
food but most will readily feed on tomatoes,
beans, any type of fruit, corn, peppers or
cabbage. Stink bugs have never been targeted
as a destructive pest because they are controlled
by all the other spraying being done for other
pests. However, if left unchecked, they can
cause all kinds of damage to any garden. Most
damage occurs to juicy vegetables and fruit
once the protective skin is broken. Since
young take about three months to mature they
are generally old enough to mate in the beginning
of summer and so another batch will emerge to
reach adulthood before the end of the year.
Stink bugs don't like it too hot and will migrate
north out of the south. However, the longer
growing season of the south enables them
to reproduce better and longer during the year
so the South harbors the highest populations.
Stink bugs are hardy and will live a few years
so adults which find themselves too far north
will hibernate on buildings which help to
provide some warmth. Southern populations may
remain active all year if a mild winter keeps
temperatures moderate but if it gets too cold,
they too, will move indoors.
Stink bugs may be predators of other insects
and several species seem to be predatory as long
as local populations of food are prevalent. However,
they will readily resort to plants, fruits
and vegetables if no other food is around. Don't
be mislead into thinking any stink bug is a good
bug. This type of thought has gotten many people
in trouble. A few around the garden won't
do a lot of harm. However, if you have them
eating the very produce you are trying to
grow, the damage they do will quickly ruin
all your effort. Stink bugs are not efficient
when they eat. They will generally move about
from fruit to fruit ruining several in any
one day. They are also attracted to light and
will find their way into homes during the
long summer nights when porch and deck lights
are on and doors are being opened and closed.
This summertime pattern will continue throughout
the season until cooler nights and shorter days
force the adults to seek harborage. Structures
like homes are warm and provide adequate
shelter from rain, cold and other elements.
Stink bugs will work their way under siding,
into soffits, around window and door
frames, under roof shingles and into any
crawl space or attic vent which has openings
small enough to fit them. Once inside the
home they will go into a state of suspended
animation where they wait for winter to
pass. However, the warmth inside the home
will generally attract them and many will
find their way inside. Once inside the home
you will expect to have them becoming active
all through the winter. Try not to handle
them and be careful if you do - not only
will they release that nasty smell
but many species are able to inflict a nasty
bite!
If you have stink bugs active in your garden
and you want to stop the damage being done
to your garden fruit and vegetables, use a
product called RESCUE to treat the plants.
This material is labeled for just about any
pest and will readily kill off those living
amongst the plants as well as effectively keep
new ones away. This product has a strong
smell but it combines several materials together
so you are able to get great plant coverage
as well as residual. Treatments will usually
last 2-4 weeks and can be done with one of
our SPRAYERS.
If you have had a problem with stink bugs
finding their way into your home there
are several treatments which should be done.
The extent to which you will have to treat will
depend largely on just how bad of an infestation
you have. The first thing to do is to treat
the outside of the home in the fall just before
or as they start to migrate inside. If you
had them invading in the past than you know
as the nights cool stink bugs can be found
landing on your home and trying to find cracks
and crevices in which to sleep during the night.
In the early stages of fall they will then
leave the next day foraging for food. It is at
this time you want to get the home sprayed with
CYPERMETHRIN. This material is easy to use and
will kill them quickly as well as repel them.
The product is applied with one of our sprayers
listed above. Add some SPREADER STICKER to insure
a quick kill since the stink bug has a protective
skin which protects them well from insecticides.
Spreader Sticker will allow the material to
penetrate much faster. The trick for doing a
good application is to start spraying
as high as you can letting it drip down the
siding to get complete coverage. Most homes
will have a few main entry points and these
will be the key areas to concentrate your
efforts when spraying. A well treated
structure will provide an invisible wall or
defense through which the bugs will not be
able to penetrate. Most homes will require
2-3 gallons to get good coverage and will
have 1 or 2 sides which are the main
entry points but care should be taken
to get as many sides as possible. Stink bugs
will readily move to untreated sides trying
to find ways into the homes which have
been shelters in the past. Stink bugs leave
strong odors which linger for 6 months
or more and these odors will serve as
attractants to stink bugs which hibernated
in the building in the past as well as
new stink bugs looking for a good place
to reside for the upcoming winter. These odors
are the main reason stink bugs return to homes
which have a history of infestation so even
though they are gone during the summer don't
be surprised when they return next fall. Only
when you kill off the returning adults
and keep new ones from establishing themselves
in the home will you be able to have a winter
stink bug free. This will take 1-2 seasons and
usually a year or more to achieve.
In many cases the population hibernating
is so large they will find their way inside
to living areas. If this happening you can
help to minimize their activity with an
aerosol treatment call BAYGON. This aerosol
comes with a crack and crevice straw which allows
you to apply it to window frames, door frames,
base mouldings, around light fixtures and
any other route of entry they might be using
to get inside. Baygon will kill them quickly
as well as provide a residual so that any
crossing over treated surfaces will die.
Treat the rooms where you have activity and
don't be afraid to treat once a week until
no new ones are found. Expect to treat a few
times in early winter - especially if you
have an infestation which has been around
more than one year.
Though the outside treatments with Cypermethrin
and the inside treatments with Baygon will
certainly help to keep them off the home and
out of living areas, this may not be enough
to break the reproduction that may be happening
deep inside attics, crawl spaces and wall
voids. Since stink bugs like to live in the home
for a long time they will many times forage
into attics and wall voids where they reside
through the winter. These nesting locations
can be accessed from high points on the home
which are very hard to treat by spraying
the outside. If you feel you have stink bugs
living in such areas and the normal outside
sprayings you have administered has not reached
key entry points than consider using some
DELTAMETHRIN DUST. This material is very helpful
for these large areas since liquid or aerosol
will not work well due to the absorbing nature
of the wood and insulation. Dust lays well
on top of such areas and though unsightly
it doesn't mean much since these are areas
where one does not generally go. Apply the
dust with a DUSTIN MIZER. This device will
enable you to blow the dust over 20 feet
ensuring good coverage over large open areas
where stink bugs will readily crawl and
penetrate. The application will last 6-12
months so you don't have to do it nearly
as often as the liquid or aerosol treatments
and since it works on many other pests you
will be protecting the home from a wide
range of insects. The other good feature of
Deltamethrin Dust is that it works in either dry
or wet environments. This is important if the
stink bugs are entering through dark and moist
crawl spaces. Applications will last long
periods of time even when wet which is what
is needed to break the hibernating cycle of
this pest.
Since the dust works so well you may decide
to apply it around rooms which are having
a lot of stink bug activity. The dust will leave
a white residue which can be cleaned easily
with a damp rag but applications will last
so much longer than the aerosol. Use the dust
for treating behind light switch plate covers,
electric switch plate covers and other spaces
where you suspect stink bugs are entering.
Apply the dust with a HAND DUSTER which will
allow you to "puff" the dust 2-3 feet deep into
wall voids which offer great nest and hibernating
locations. Be sure to get around light fixtures
and vent covers for forced hot or cold air(not
in the ducts but around them). Though not always
needed, dusting can be a vital part of the process
which is usually needed when infestations have
been allowed to go on for more than a year or so.

Stink bugs can be a fall and winter time pest
if left to live in the garden. If you have them
active outside during the summer and want to
keep them off your fruits and vegetables, use some
of our Rescue for a quick kill and residual. Once
fall arrives and they begin to move inside, head
them off by spraying the outside of the home with
Cypermethrin. Once you have them inside you will
have to use some Baygon Aerosol to keep them
under control and the need for some Dusting with
Deltamethrin Dust may help with large populations which
are residing in wall voids, crawl spaces or attics.
Stink bugs are persistent and smelly so keeping
out of your house will require some patience.
Treat early to stop the initial penetration;
followup with some inside treatments if you
have had a history of them nesting in the home
for more than a year.

To see these products or any of the other pest control
products we sell, follow the link below.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR PRODUCTS PAGE

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR CHEMICAL INDEX PAGE

CLICK HERE TO GO BACK TO OUR ARTICLE SELECTION PAGE

CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR MAIN PAGE

Our toll free number is 1-800-877-7290.

E-Mail us at Jonathan@bugspray.com

-- posted by danajane