Stink Bugs

[topdown67]

They have been confirmed in these states so far: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, New York, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, and Oregon. But I have also heard Florida and California. PA is infested more than most, though...since it started in Allentown supposedly about 15 years ago. This year was the first time farmers reported significant damage to crops, so the story is getting much more attention now.

No natural predators in the US....so likely to be nationwide in a decade or so.

We've got them in NC and I've seen em in SC also - what a nuisance!

 

[AaronB]

I'm not kidding we must have seen hundreds of these all over the house a little while ago. The weather got a little colder and they disapeared, warmed up and there back in mass again! We like our windows open when the weather is in the 70's but with four kids putting holes in many of our screens we've had to keep them closed. I go out to leave the dogs out..... stink bugs. I go into my car I see stink bugs..... I take the trash to the curb....... stink bugs. Get the mail..........Stink bugs, these things are EVERYWHERE! Though I must say I would rather have these than bedbugs like many apartments, hotels and homes are experiencing throughout the country.

 

[maxx]

We should be nearing the end as the weather turns cooler....but what a nightmare this year was. I finally settled on duct taping any windows without a perfect seal and a massive chemical assault on the door frames where they lurk. Got desperate and even tried using a strong DEET-based bug repellent. Seemed to have some affect, but not long lasting. Going to try a stronger DEET concentration next year as the store only had OFF in 30% concentrations.

I was fanatical about stopping or killing these things this year and feel pretty good that I got all of the ones that did get past me originally. Just one more set of curtains to take down and check. They hide in the folds. I pity the folks who didn't make an effort. They will have the things buzzing around their Thanksgiving turkey and Christmas tree when they fire up their furnaces and the dumb things think it is spring. Don't forget to empty those sweepers and shopvacs when the siege officially ends.

And I agree....still better than bedbugs. I think I would just move if that happened to me also....LOL. My niece runs an apartment building in Chicago and there is great fear in that city that what is happening in New York City and East Coast, will be happening there soon. Not just nuisance...but infestation.

 

[debb]

we had problems with them too....

 

[maxx]

I have been following this research project. They think they have the means to make a repellent from a fungus....

Bring On the Stink Bugs - NYTimes.com

 

[nicotime]

We have them bad this year...if they dont take action now we are in for big trouble. I spray them with Simple Green...it wont kill them right away but they will die in an hour or so...it dissolves their waxy coating they have and kills them.

 

[Mellie79]

I have to say I love that there's a stinkbug thread on here. These are the only things that seem to make there way in my place regardless of what I do. I've given up the fight at this point.

 

[maxx]

I think it's over now....least til next year when it is expected to be even worse. Cold nights, lukewarm days and I haven't seen more than a few on the porch. Barring a big warmup, I think I can start pulling duct tape now. Between tape and poisons, the things cost me about $50 this year...and countless hours of aggravation.

Lots of farmers say they took a hit in their orchards. This time of year I hit a local farm for apples and apple cider...and hope the prices didn't go through the roof due to bug damage.

 

[ec!gg]

We visited French Creek State Park over the weekend. By the way, we really enjoy this park! Anyways, we ended up going in bathrooms and they were infested with dozens of stink bugs. Actually the most I ever seen in my life... It just seems like they are really growing in population.

 

[maxx]

This recent warm weather has them out in force again. Might have to go to hand-to-hand combat. At least 4 more days of warm weather, so I guess it aint over yet. Bummer....

 

[ec!gg]

Luckily I have not seen to many Stink bugs in the last couple days. I think it is end of season for them. At least I hope so.

 

[SNjVaper]

Yes, we are infested with them. Outside and inside. The are every where and they freak my girlfriend out. (Well, at least theres one bonus from them lmfao)

 

[ec!gg]

Wow sorry to hear about all the sting bugs in your area... I hope you can find a way to get rid of them. If you do, please let us know how...

 

[phorbin]

I've had it up to here (reaching over my head) with stink bugs! They are just EVERYWHERE here in the Lancaster area. Inside, outside. Nasty. Last year when it got cold and I got my fire place going for the first time, well, apparently i had a small infestation in the flue...ever seen bats leaving a cave in the evening, one right after another? yeah, it was kinda like that.

 

[debb]

ours have tapered off some...but for awhile it was horrible....

btw...off topic...nj vape meet 11/6.....prizes...fun, etc...details in nj forum....or pm me...just in case someone wants to attend... ...philly is pretty close....so come on over... ..ok back to stink bugs...

 

[maxx]

No longer have a siege from the outside. However, since the furnace has been coming on recently due to cold...the few that got past me earlier are getting active. Caught a couple in the past few days. Still better than years before when I knew nothing about them or where to look. Favorite hiding places are curtains and if you store your AC units indoors...they are in there. Fumigate the box before taking it in for the winter. I have three AC untis and each one was infested when I checked them on the porch. Might just leave them outside from now on.

 

[beebopnjazz]

Oh Maxx...hadn't thought of that. Our first floor units are kept in the garage (detached)...but the bedroom units are kept in a closet on the second floor.....fumigate with what?

 

[maxx]

Household Raid or similar insecticide sprays will kill the things....but they tend to stagger around for awhile before they die. This year I am leaving the AC units outside on the porch. But last year, I just sprayed through all the vents and openings and let them sit for a day. Then brought them in for winter storage. Anything that has been outside needs to be checked out before bringing it in for winter. They hide anywhere. I found one hiding in the bristles of a broom that I had left outside and brought in to clean up a broken glass. Sneaky .......s.....

If the AC units are small enough, you can just seal them up in those big green plastic lawn/trash bags, like Hefty, before stuffing in the closet. Anything in there will die....or at least be unable to get out.

 

[maxx]

Getting a warm up the next couple days. This will probably activate those stinkers that have been hibernating in your walls and attics. Just read there will be a stink bug trap available for sale this summer using pheremone lures. Won't be cheap I am sure....and won't work indoors.

RESCUE! BugBlog: More about the RESCUE! Stink Bug Trap

Read elsewhere that this year could be worse than last year....if that is possible.

 

[debb]

just saw one yesterday....