Stinkbugs are invading!!!

[Pedaling Fool]

What's happening with the stinkbugs up north? I was reminded by this in the Wash. Post, but not really a story, more of a photo gallery. http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...l_most#photo=1

[Pedaling Fool]

^^^I said, what's happening with the stinkbugs up north? http://news.yahoo.com/stink-bug-inva...204016553.html

Stink Bug Invasion Promises Foul Fall

By Eli MacKinnon, Life's Little Mysteries Staff Writer | LiveScience.com – 18 hrs ago

An invading force is laying the groundwork for a coup in the United States this year, and it's going on right under our noses. The brown marmorated stink bug, an insect species from Asia that has been steadily expanding its range since it landed on the East Coast 15 years ago, will begin to sneak into the homes of unprepared Americans by the hundreds in the coming weeks, entomologists say.

And because of an unusual late-season surge in the invasive pest's numbers, scientists and crop specialists worry that the bug could make one of its strongest showings ever when it comes out of hiding in the spring.

"We've seen increases in populations over the last month or so," said Tracy Leskey, a research entomologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. "This is something that's different than in 2011."

Behind the invasion
In early fall, the stink bugs start to look for shelter in warm, indoor crannies, and attics are among their favorite places to set up thousands-thick overwintering settlements. A late batch of stink bug nymphs was born last October, but the majority probably perished in the field before maturing, Leskey told Life's Little Mysteries.
This year, however, two full generations have already managed to reach maturity ? likely due in part to an early spring ? so more will be ready to weather the winter and start multiplying as soon as spring arrives, according to Leskey. [Image Gallery: Invasive Species]

In the United States, brown marmorated stink bugs are most prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic states. A recent national survey conducted by Hometeam Pest Defense found that 59 percent of Washington, D.C., homeowners had had problems with the bugs, making the nation's capital their densest urban stronghold. But the invasive species has now spread to 38 states, including California and Oregon, according to USDA-funded research.

Who should worry?
Beyond the unpleasant smell they release when frightened or smashed, the pests pose no threat to homeowners. But their wide-ranging appetites and their dearth of natural predators in the United States make them a costly concern to farmers.

"About anything that makes a seed or a fruit they'll eat," said Ames Herbert, an entomologist at Virginia Tech University who researches ways to protect Virginia's soy bean crop from the brown marmorated stink bug.

Herbert said crop infestations in Virginia were not as densely populated this year as they were in 2011 but that the bug has roughly doubled its range since last year, with colonies registered in about 40 of the state's 95 counties.

There are no comprehensive estimates on the economic damage caused by stink bugs, but an analysis by the U.S. Apple Association found that stink bugs cost Mid-Atlantic apple growers $37 million in 2010.

What to do?
Both Leskey and Herbert are hopeful that coordinated research and surveillance efforts will help turn the tide against the stink bug. Leskey said researchers have isolated an important stink bug pheromone, which could revolutionize trapping efforts.

She also said an Asian wasp that is one of the bug's natural predators is being tested for introduction to the United States.
Homeowners who want to avoid harboring stink bugs for the winter should make sure their homes are well-sealed, Leskey said.

[Tinker]

Oh, well. Here we go again - another reason to carry a tent. They were all over the shelters in Oct. 2010 when I hiked central Pa. Just don't step or sleep on them and you'll be ok.

[hikerboy57]

another reason to close the borders

[Snowleopard]

I hate these things! I thought I had stinkbugs last fall and it turned out to be Western conifer seed bugs; they look very similar and also smell, but probably not as smelly as stinkbugs. I have a paddle shaped bug zapper that works great on other bugs, but it smells too bad when used on the conifer seed bugs. The best thing I've found is to flick them into a container of soapy water or coax them onto a piece of stiff paper and dump into the soapy water. In plain water they swim, in soapy water they drown. Swatting them smells bad. I feel sorry for the people who have massive infestations of stink bugs.
Brown marmorated stinkbug: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_marmorated_stink_bug
Western conifer seed bug: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_conifer_seed_bug

[Pedaling Fool]

I can see how one can mis-identify those two species.

Sounds like the stinkbugs maxed out in 2010, but that's not uncommon to see some years with large numbers of bugs compared to other years. I was just curious since we had a mild winter, but doesn't seem to have caused an increase in stinkbugs, which makes sense because I've heard that the commonly held belief that mild winters cause more bugs is largely a myth.

[Don H]

I was at Ed Garvey Shelter just north of Harpers Ferry last October and the stink bugs were so thick that no one would sleep in the shelter, everyone was in tents. They were so thick around Weaverton Cliffs that people wouldn't go to the overlook.

They destroyed my tomato plants this year and get in my house. What a pain.

[spike camp]

Stink bugs are so gross!

[Stink Bug]

Stink bugs are so gross!

Hey!! I resemble that remark

[Wise Old Owl]

Well Spike thanks for bubbling up the old thread. Since 2010 the pest control company I work for is still treating homes in the area for stink bugs. If you are deep in the woods and have old windows or an old wood home prior to 1945, we power spray the outside in fall to create a reduction, most homes that are treated need 9-15 gallons of product placed carefully around windows and doors and eaves to the attic to gain a reduction... Only one or two products work and that is proprietary.
What I find funny about the bugs is they can get past fly-screens on modern windows. They are attached to light and can negotiate the heat vents from the attic thru the High hats or recessed lighting in modern homes.

So yes a hammock or tent would be optimum.

[Carry-On]

They were everywhere on the trail in PA in Oct 2012. It was crazy. I found them in EVERYTHING! I even found a couple in my food bag from leaving it open for a few minutes. I got to Harpers Ferry at the end of Oct, just before Hurricane Sandy. After the storm it was so cold they weren't as bad as I headed sobo into Virginia, but they still turned up occasionally.

[Snowleopard]

...
What I find funny about the bugs is they can get past fly-screens on modern windows. They are attached to light and can negotiate the heat vents from the attic thru the High hats or recessed lighting in modern homes.

Figuring out how they get in the house drives me crazy. Do you have any suggestions on blocking them out in a modern house?

[HikerMom58]

Hey!! I resemble that remark

...............

They are everywhere in VA!!

[Wise Old Owl]

Most homes after the 80's are airtight, close the windows permanently in early fall when temps around the time of the fall equinox fall below 74 degrees. If High hats extend into the attic are accessible make a fly screen bucket to go over them and cover the bathroom fan as well. Get a Dustbuster or a stick vacuum. - still available at Walmart. Finally depending on how bad it is if you were getting over 50 a day inside the house spend $250 - $350 for the Gilbert Fly lamp and install in the attic, on its own AC plug to run 24/7 if you have multiple attics you will need multiple units. This is a very large commercial fly light that only needs to be maintained once a year...

http://www.gilbertinc.com/220.htm


Anything else would require a professional as the products is highly regulated.

[Snowleopard]

WOO, thanks for that info. I guess I'll be spending some time in my attic this spring.

[hauptman]

Although they are related to stink bugs, they aren't exactly the same thing. True stink bugs are worse. You can tell by the slight sour apple smell in their spray, not so bad once you get used to them. My old school would get super infested and we would see who could quickly kill the most of them.