Stink bugs!!

[BKBrown]

I believe part of the problem in that link is that pictures cover some of the text. :thumbdown:

 

[mystreba]

An Ivory/water solution does do the trick, but unfortunately the "solution" does not scale. QUOTE]

What does "scale" mean?

The solution doesn't match the scale of the problem. It works great for a small infestation, but won't "scale" up to a larger infestation.

 

[RobertBrown]

Did some looking and decided your problem is particularly disconcerting. I decided to do a little research to see if I could help. It seems to me that if the situation is as bad as you describe you are going to have to to take a proactive aproach or learn to live with it.
I sincerely hope that this infestation is a seasonal event and will subside soon, however it seems the current information leads to the contrary

I'm thinking you probably already know this, however you wrote that it has "no natural enemies". This is not 100% true. There is a parasitic wasp that is useful in the control of this pest. I don't know how proficient you are at propagating Trissolcus halyomorpha Yang........
A new species of Trissolcus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), Trissolcus halyomorphae Yang, sp. nov., is described from China. It is a solitary parasitoid in eggs of Halyomorpha halys (St虱) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an economic pest that causes severe damage to pear, apple and other fruit and that also feeds on the leaves and stems of ornamental and forest trees. The new species is the principal natural enemy of the stink bug, with parasitism rates up to 70% and an average annual rate of 50%. Because of its high parasitism rates and other biological features, it has good potential as a biocontrol agent of the pest.
This coupled with the proper application of an effective insecticide may get things under control.
I personnally would be reluctant to use a chemical control unless it was something relativley inert, such as soap. It may take some experimenting to find a way to broadcast a water soap solution so that it does not aspirate but incorporating the use of a low pressure high volume system may be effective.
In the mean time securing the perimeter is the priority. I would emply the whole family for this endeavor and start blocking the entrances. Every last little crack, crevice and hole must be plugged. Perhaps locating, marking and then using an expanding foam migh be one method. I'm sure your neighbors are experiencing the same as you and your family, so perhaps you could work together getting the house sealed and the problem migjht not seem so insurmountable when that is accomplished.
Another helpful link from a University near you.
http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/BMSB.htm

 

[mystreba]

Did some looking and decided your problem is particularly disconcerting. I decided to do a little research to see if I could help. It seems to me that if the situation is as bad as you describe you are going to have to to take a proactive aproach or learn to live with it.
I sincerely hope that this infestation is a seasonal event and will subside soon, however it seems the current information leads to the contrary

I'm thinking you probably already know this, however you wrote that it has "no natural enemies". This is not 100% true. There is a parasitic wasp that is useful in the control of this pest. I don't know how proficient you are at propagating Trissolcus halyomorpha Yang........
A new species of Trissolcus Ashmead (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), Trissolcus halyomorphae Yang, sp. nov., is described from China. It is a solitary parasitoid in eggs of Halyomorpha halys (St虱) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), an economic pest that causes severe damage to pear, apple and other fruit and that also feeds on the leaves and stems of ornamental and forest trees. The new species is the principal natural enemy of the stink bug, with parasitism rates up to 70% and an average annual rate of 50%. Because of its high parasitism rates and other biological features, it has good potential as a biocontrol agent of the pest.
This coupled with the proper application of an effective insecticide may get things under control.
I personnally would be reluctant to use a chemical control unless it was something relativley inert, such as soap. It may take some experimenting to find a way to broadcast a water soap solution so that it does not aspirate but incorporating the use of a low pressure high volume system may be effective.
In the mean time securing the perimeter is the priority. I would emply the whole family for this endeavor and start blocking the entrances. Every last little crack, crevice and hole must be plugged. Perhaps locating, marking and then using an expanding foam migh be one method. I'm sure your neighbors are experiencing the same as you and your family, so perhaps you could work together getting the house sealed and the problem migjht not seem so insurmountable when that is accomplished.
Another helpful link from a University near you.
http://www.virginiafruit.ento.vt.edu/BMSB.htm

Thanks for taking the time to research! Actually, I do know about the wasp, but it's an asian species (like the marmorated stink bug) and its impact has not yet beed studied. Even if I could get my hands on some, it's not likely the local authorities would appreciate me propagating them. I could be introducing even worse problems.

Sealing the house is not an easy undertaking, and not something I'm sure I'd want to do anyway. I've spent a great deal of time getting my house to the point where it can breathe (ventilated soffits, ridge vents, etc), and I don't want to undo all that work. I could go around and caulk the dozens of recessed lighting fixtures I've installed, but again I don't really want to do that - I like being able to pull a trim ring off when I have to change a bulb. But there are definitely areas where I can seal, and I'm working on that. I do notice in rooms where I've done such work the problem is less serious. But it takes time.

The problem is not seasonal. They are in the house year-round, but it reaches infestation levels in spring, summer and fall. Bottom line is the insect is here to stay until the pros figure out a way to control this pest. One of the problems is that the bugs fly and they don't nest. For most household pests you can create a barrier around the foundation. Not the case here. Also for most household pests you can use bait to entice the critters to take poison back to the nest and eradicate the colony. Not so with these loners. If you're going to use insecticide, you literally have to apply it to the insect. Again, a solution that doesn't scale - or, more to the point, would require unsafe levels of toxic materials around the house.

I do use an exterminator service year-round for ants and other pests, but they admit they have no solution for this problem. So, as you say, we just have to learn to live with it for now. I guarantee that the person who figures this out is going to be rich!

(proper credit for the attached photo - Steve Ruark for The New York Times)

 

[RobertBrown]

I do use an exterminator service year-round for ants and other pests, but they admit they have no solution for this problem. So, as you say, we just have to learn to live with it for now. I guarantee that the person who figures this out is going to be rich!

(proper credit for the attached photo - Steve Ruark for The New York Times)

So you have considered that the Asian Stink bug will become a billion dollar industry. Have you considered how easy it was to create this boom and the introduction of this pest and so many other insect and plant invasions may not be accidental.
That's what really Pi$$e$ me off. Do you have fire ants in Maryland yet? That's my home State by the way.

 

[mystreba]

So you have considered that the Asian Stink bug will become a billion dollar industry. Have you considered how easy it was to create this boom and the introduction of this pest and so many other insect and plant invasions may not be accidental.
That's what really Pi$$e$ me off. Do you have fire ants in Maryland yet? That's my home State by the way.

Nothing would surprise me any more.

No fire ants - yet. The In-Laws have them in NC. Nasty little buggers.

 

[lawn mower fanatic]

That picture in post #14 is absolutely disgusting! We have a small stink bug problem year-round because they get in under the window (the space where the window closes into) and get trapped. But no matter how hard you put the window down on them, they will still be alive and ready to come into the house the next time you open that window....that's why I never do! I hate stink bugs!!