How to Control Stink Bugs | Useful Tips
Posted by Unknown in Gardening, Insect, Pest Management on Friday 25 January 2013
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug
There
are a number of options which can be used to control stink bugs,
although there is no one “best option” to deal with these insect pests.
One important consideration is that many stink bugs are resistant to
common pesticides, so people who are considering chemical control should
be sure to identify the stink bugs in question in order to use the
appropriate chemical controls. It can also help to use the services of a
company which specializes in such infestations, since stink bugs can be
quite pernicious.
Stink
bugs are insects in the Pentatomidae family, and as the common name for
these bugs implies, they stink. The animals emit small amounts of a
noxious substance from glands under the bodies to deter predators and
send signals to other stink bugs. In the garden, stink bugs can wreak
havoc on crops as well as generating an unpleasant smell, and in the
home, a stink bug invasion can be quite unpleasant.
If
you have stink bugs in your garden, the first thing you should do is
remove weeds, because the bugs can use the weeds as a cover. To deter
the bugs from your house, remove weeds and foliage near the house,
forcing the animals to cross barren ground to gain access to the
structure. After you have removed weeds and other foliage which could be
used as cover, you can try scattering kaolin clay around the area, or
spray your plants with a kaolin clay solution. Stink bugs are not able
to lay eggs and feed on plants covered in this harmless mineral clay,
which can simply be washed off any vegetables and fruits.
If
you're lucky, your stink bugs will be attacked by predators and
parasites. A number of organisms will attack stink bug eggs, and while
these organisms are not available for commercial sale, they may be
present in your area, especially if you live in an agricultural
community. Many state-sponsored stink bug control methods have focused
on the release of such parasites, protecting crops and gardens in the
areas that they are released.
If
these measures do not work, a number of companies produce organic
insecticide soaps which are targeted at stink bugs, and you can also use
chemical insecticides which are formulated for various stink bug
species. Before using insecticides, however, be aware that insecticides
are highly toxic and difficult to deal with, and they should really only
be considered as a last resort.
If
stink bugs have penetrated your house, the first thing you need to do
is to stop the problem from getting any worse. Use caulk to seal the
house thoroughly, paying special attention to the areas where stink bugs
are crawling through. Then, use a vacuum to suck up the bugs; you don't
want to crush or kill them, because this could attract more stink bugs
and feed other insect populations in your house. Once you have pulled as
many stink bugs out of the house as possible, empty the vacuum canister
outside, or throw out the bag. You may need to repeat this process
several times if the bugs are in the walls.
