They're multiplying. And some are airborne!

Recently I've been able to get some solid on-the-spot "recon" from my friend and colleague on her battle against stink bugs.

Peggy said she placed two RESCUE! Stink Bug Traps in her landscape a few weeks ago: one on a post and rail fence (touching the grass) and one hung under a deck, about 2 1/2 ft above the ground. (She said the area is shaded and is directly beneath her herb and veggie containers.)

Her fence trap, which gets full sun, began catching stink bugs within 2 days. She just put in the RESCUE! 7-week attractant and hung it in the same place. The one under the deck saw little action so she moved it to a sunny location, a lilac tree, with the trap fins touching branches and leaves. Voila! Stink Bugs are coming in but they ain't leaving the trap. Stuck inside to dehydrate and DIE.

Now, yesterday, Peggy was visiting her friend, Sheila (who has a gigantic garden) and they were checking out her plants and veggies. "Don't see any bugs," said Sheila. " Peggy arched her all-knowing brow and remarked, "Just wait... let's check the leaves."

Sure enough... guess what was lurking, attached to the squash leaves in clusters of sticky oval eggs along with newly hatched nymphs that look like creepy ticks with long antennae? Yep. Stink Bugs. The nymphs can't yet fly, but are very fast movers with voracious appetites.

They also saw a few fast moving "teenie boppers" that are about the size of pencil erasers, happily eating peppers, and more.

And people, people... the nymphs become airborne within 50 days or less, and can move throughout your garden and landscape and decimate your veggies, fruit and berries and ornamentals.

OK, so now that you are creeped out and about to race to your nearest retailer and get your RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap, here are a few quick Tips to assure successful victory:

If the RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap is catching stink bugs, but seems to slow down, check for spiderwebs at the entrance, or replace the attractant with a refill if it's been exceptionally hot for weeks.

Buy at least 2 traps: One touching blades or leaves where the nymphs are congregated and one hanging on a post or tree where the adults will be lured.

If you use mulch, check for adults: they hang out and are practically invisible. Place a trap nearby.

If the trap seems to be attracting fewer numbers, move it. Check frequently.

Recognize the enemy. Study Peggy's photos of the eggs and nymphs. Adult Stink Bugs have a shield-like appearance.

Break the cycle. Reduce the population in your little piece of heaven with the only trap that's been scientifically designed and tested to work. Trap and kill these stinkers before they switch gears in Sept/Oct and look for ways to get inside your home and overwinter, congregating in your attic - or crawl spaces- or dark, warm spots, waiting 'till spring arrives to buzz and dive-bomb us all once again.

If we all get involved, we may just stop this menace. Let us know how your battle is going! We're here to help.
Good luck!
~Lynne, GMG

Stamp out ugly, nasty stink bugs!

Stink Bugs. Those ugly, nasty, prehistoric-looking, shield shape insects that look like they should have a starring role in a SciFi movie of Stink Bug Zombies are creating havoc on crops and home landscapes and gardens.

They first appeared in Allentown, PA in 1998 (from Asia) and are reported in 33 states and spreading from coast-to-coast. Those of you in the "Red Zone" states: PA, DE, NJ, MD, VA and W.VA can look for the RESCUE! Stink Bug Traps in independent garden centers and major retail stores. To find a retailer near you, just click on RESCUE'S store finder:

To make matters worse, stink bugs are professional hitchhikers. So, it's only a matter of time before they come to an area near you. Eek!

Now, many of you may be saying to yourself: "Hey, I don't see any of these garden wreckers in my home - so where are they?"

They're in fields, yards and gardens, eating your plants and mating. The adult female lays eggs in masses generally on the underside of leaves, that hatch into nymphs. These baby eating machines don't have wings yet- and have only one focus: Eat plants.

And get this: Depending on the climate, warm spring and summer conditions can allow for up to two-three generations or more. The population can explode exponentially.

What is the food du jour these disgusting insects prefer? Um... everything from edible shrubs and trees to veggies and fruit. Got tomatoes? Stink Bugs love 'em. Peppers, apples, peaches, pears, plums, berries, corn.. you get the picture.

Don't have a veggie garden or fruit trees and berry bushes? 'Stinky' is opportunistic and will go for your foliage -and even your beloved roses.

So, how do we stop these disgusting invaders? Homemade traps are iffy and pesticides can be toxic to the environment, pets and kids!

This may sound corny... but I have to say it... finally, there's a new all-natural trap in town that's been been tested and trialed at the USDA's Beltsville, MD facility - and it works. Yay! It's called the RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap from Sterling International that's the first and only serious solution for this wretched infestation.

Gardeners will love it because it works and controls stink bugs in the most environmentally responsible, effective and low-maintenance way possible.

The trap works outdoors to catch the adult and ravenous young stink bugs, naturally. It uses a patent-pending technology that slowly releases a pheromone that's odorless to humans but powerful enough to lure stink bugs from up to 30 feet.

Tomorrow's blog will be on proper RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap placement for success and much more. Meanwhile, send us photos of your stink bug "invasion" and your gardens. Good luck!

~Lynne GMG

Stink bug photo credit: Wikipedia
photo of RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap: Sterling International