Cooler weather, football and apple cider are synonymous with fall, but for
homeowners, stink bugs have become another sign
of the changing seasons.
Unusually
cold and rainy weather may have kept some stink bugs away, but they’re still showing
up in yards by the hundreds.
"I
think we're in for a big season this year," says Mike Raupp, professor of
entomology at the University of Maryland. "We expect this may be as bad -
or as significant - as the year 2010, which was the breakout year for these
stink bugs around here."
The
National Pest Management Association (NPMA) says we are likely to start seeing
these smelly pests hanging on curtains, lampshades, screens and other objects
inside homes in the coming months.
“The number
of adult stink bugs increase during September and October which makes it critical
to capture them now, before they migrate to overwintering sites,” says Dr.
Qing-He Zhang, lead scientist and director of research at Sterling
International Inc., developers of RESCUE!® Stink Bug Traps.
“In the
early fall, stink bug adults intensively feed on high energy foods such as fruits,
seeds, leaves and even tree trunks to obtain the strength needed for
hibernation,” says Dr. Zhang. “As food sources dry up and daylight hours wane,
the bugs search for shelter to overwinter.”
According to Virginia Cooperative
Extension entomologist Chris Bergh, “There seems to be a very tight window
during which these bugs start moving from their feeding sites to overwintering
sites.”
With no
effective natural enemies, stink bugs have been discovered in 40 states to this
point – most recently in Oregon and Utah.
“Homes are prime
targets,” says Dr. Zhang. “If you’ve seen one, you can be sure there are hundreds
more waiting to come inside. You need to stop them in their tracks and break
the stink bug life cycle before they come indoors to hibernate.”
So, how can
you stop these pesky bugs in their tracks? Scientists recommend the following
tips for preventing and dealing with stink bugs:
1.
Seal off entry points: Inspect the outside of your home
for easy access points. Pay close attention to areas around siding and window air-conditioner utility
pipes, behind chimneys and underneath the fascia or other openings. Use
silicone caulk to seal any cracks and holes.
2.
Replace and repair: Check for damaged window or door
screens and for torn weather-stripping and loose mortar.
3.
Trap them before they come indoors: To catch the stink bugs in the fall before
they move inside, hang a trap - like the RESCUE!®Stink Bug Trap - at eye
level from a tree branch, stake or pole about 15-20 feet from the house.
4.
Turn off the lights: Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum.
During the evenings, turn off porch lights and pull down window blinds to
prevent light from spilling outside.
5.
Ventilate: Properly ventilate basements,
attics, garages and crawl spaces to eliminate harborage points. Consider using
a dehumidifier in these areas.
6.
Think before squishing: When disturbed or crushed, stink
bugs have a tendency to release a bad-smelling odor as a defense measure.
Instead, pick them up with a tissue and flush them down the toilet. Do not
throw them back outside. They will just turn around and come right back
in.
When stink
bugs invade the indoors in colder weather, they really raise a stink. Just ask Raupp,
“We're going to see large numbers of stink bugs collecting on the sides of
people's homes and then trying to move indoors.”
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For an increasing number of homeowners across North America, brown marmorated stink bugs are another sign of the changing seasons. 
