How to Control the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Presently, there are no viable strategies for control of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. The use of insecticides has very short-lived effect and there is evidence of resistance development. Even where insecticide is effective, repopulation occurs through migration from non-treated areas. In addition, on-farm insecticide use is not ideal due to disruption of integrated pest management programs.

Homeowners

Do your best to prevent them from entering your home. Placement of screens over windows, doors and vents, removal of window air conditioners and caulking cracks in windows and doorframes will deter the adults from entering. Removal of window air conditioners is important, as numerous BMSB will enter this way. If small numbers occur indoors, they can be removed either by hand or by using a shop-vacuum.
If large numbers are observed or have been observed in previous years, you may wish to contact your local pest control company who can do a perimeter pesticide spray. This must be done at the appropriate time (when the insects first appear) and control may be difficult to achieve. It is important to consider the effects of pesticides in your home before any pesticide applications occur.

Farmers

How to protect your crops:

• Stay informed through Rutgers NJAES as management strategies are developed.
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug IPM Working Group: Additional Resources
• See the Growing Produce publication of the Agricultural Research Service Action Plan. Some objectives for the short term are quoted below.

"Define a rational chemically based management strategy first as an immediate emergency stop-gap rescue strategy, and second as part of a sustainable pest management plan. At the present time, growers are applying pesticides belonging to one or two chemical classes, namely the pyrethroids and carbamates, in an attempt to save their crops. Chemical control is not considered desirable over the long-term, due to expected crop resistance to these chemicals and disruptions to integrated pest management (IPM) programs, but will play an immediate role in salvaging crop production and a limited, ongoing role in more sustainable management programs. Accordingly, researchers will seek to define an appropriate short-term chemical control strategy for the 2011 season as researchers carry out the medium- and long-term research needed to develop a more sustainable approach."

Contributing Locations: ARS-Kearneysville; PSU; Rutgers; Virginia Tech; and UMD