Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Activity

Brown marmorated stink bug activity is increasing as we move into the fall. People throughout Carroll County are seeing them on plants and buildings, and there have been significant signs of feeding damage on home & commercial crops, esp. beans, peaches, apples, corn, roses, grapes, cane fruit, maples. These plant bugs are often found on the sides of buildings and inside of homes.

What You Can Tell People to Do Before Bugs Enter a Building

Mechanical exclusion is the best method to keep stink bugs from entering homes and buildings. Cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings should be sealed with good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced. Exterior applications of insecticides may offer some relief from infestations where the task of completely sealing the exterior is difficult or impossible. Applications should consist of a synthetic pyrethroid(i.e. deltamethrin, cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin,sumithrin or tralomethrin) and should be applied by a licensed pest control operator in the fall just prior to bug congregation. Unfortunately, because insecticides are broken down by sunlight, the residual effect of the material will be greatly decreased and may not kill the insects much beyond several days or a week.

For additional information, please contact Steve Allgeier 410 386-2776, hortman@umd.edu or see this site: http://www.hgic.umd.edu/content/brownstinkbug.cfm

TPM/IPM Weekly Reportfor Arborists, Landscape Managers & Nursery Managers, August 13, 2010

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For more information, contact Steve Allgeier

Last updated: 04/14/2011