Everyone asks “Is someone developing a cure for keeping stink bugs out of my home?” and the answer is and always will be “No! No chemical manufacturer is developing a product for the urban pest control market.” However, do not despair! You need to better understand how new chemicals are developed and how this system of development will provide relief somewhere down the road.
When NASA sends our astronauts into space with the latest and greatest technology, how many times have we, the general public, benefited from these technological advances? Too many to count is the correct answer. The space program has introduced ideas and finished products that populate our everyday world such as technology for computers, cell phones, medicine, air pollution, water purification systems, scratch-resistant lens, trash compactors, flat panel televisions, smoke detectors, the Dustbuster, solar energy, fire resistant materials, noise abatement products, breast cancer detection, programmable pacemakers, air tanks for firemen, self-righting life rafts, improved aircraft engines and the list goes on and on.
It is doubtful that only a few of the aforementioned products would have come to pass had it not been for our space program. Individually, no manufacturing company could undertake the enormous costs involved in the development of most of these products. What entrepreneur would risk a fortune to try to develop a self-righting life raft? Even if the idea was in place the end market would be so limited that sales would never cover the costs of development and manufacturing. But, NASA needed this raft for returning spacecraft that landed in oceans. We needed to protect our astronauts at any cost, so the government funded the research and development and the final ideas were given or sold to manufacturers. With research and development costs paid for by our taxes, manufacturers were willing to step forward to bring this product to market.
This same principle holds true for the development of a product or method to fight stink bugs. Regardless of how many people are suffering from stink bug invasions, it does not present a large enough market for chemical manufacturers to make the huge investment required to develop a product and go through the environmental registration process. It takes tens of millions of dollars to bring a new pesticide to market and even if every man, woman and child suffering from stink bugs bought a case of the product it still would not come close to being profitable for the manufacturers.
It is interesting to note that there is only one, single pest control product that has ever been specifically developed solely for the pest control industry. Sentricon, a product for termite control, was the only pesticide product ever developed and brought to market just for the urban pest control industry. All other pesticides have been developed for agricultural crop protection and were re-labeled sometime after they were introduced, for use in our homes and businesses.
So, where is the light at the end of the tunnel? Actually, several universities and the U.S. Department of Agriculture are hard at work trying to discover the various weaknesses of the stink bug. Scientists are investigating the attractant pheromones of these bugs in the hopes of developing stink bug traps. Stink bugs are being screened for genes and proteins that can be engineered into crops that will suppress stink bugs, thus reducing the population explosion. There are some natural parasitic insects reachers are discovering that eat the eggs of the stink bug found in various field crops. The stink bugs are migrating from farm fields, so destroying the eggs at the source would help everyone.
All of this research will take time, but ultimately help will arrive and this plague, too, will pass.
Comments
Diana Jordan
04 Oct 2009, 08:46
I live in Colebrook Pa. We are infected with stink bug. When we are out
side we kill them with fly swatters and boy does it stink.I think there
coming from the trees across the street the state game land. Is there any
food that will atract them that I could set out in a jar or bottle to try
and kill them.
Darrin
01 Nov 2009, 16:34
I hope the researchers fine a repelant asap. I just looked at my rooms
curtan and found NINE stinkbust sitting their. I could only get six, and
the other three flew around behind my dresser and one got INTO my dresser
(it's probobly crawling in my cloths and if I find something and put in on
and find the stink bug, I swear to god I will flip out). I am not even
going to look on the other side of it(where they get in). If something
dosn't come out soon to get rid of them, I am going to move. I HATE these
things!!!!!!!
GPC
05 Nov 2009, 13:09
DON'T WORRY THEY AREN'T THE TERRIFYING
ALTHOUGH THEY DO FREAK YOU OUT IF THEY FLY AROUND. JUST OPEN YOUR DRAWER
AND SCOOP IT OUT WITH A PILL BOTTLE OR TAKE THE PIECE OF CLOTHING IT IS ON
AND SHAKE IT GENTLLY INTO THE TOILET ETC..(POOR THING) BUT THEY ARE A DRAG.
I JUST SCOOPED THREE AND WE ALL KNOW THERE ARE MORE WHERE THEY CAME FROM!
HKS
08 Nov 2009, 16:28
If you use a vacuum to remove stink bugs from inside the home, it it
necessary to change the filter bag of the vacuum, or with the bugs die in
the vacuum bag?
Ash
16 Nov 2009, 14:16
I live a few miles south of the city of Pittsburgh, Pa...stink bugs are
everywhere!!! My parents noticed them last year, and I was thankful that
we didn't have any problem with them, but now that it's fall, I am seeing
them in my house-yuk.
Bob Barker
17 Nov 2009, 09:31
i actually just went around and captured as many as I could. I live in an
apartment and we were getting over-run. They like nooks and crannies, so,
don't leave anything outside that they can hide behind. When you are
cleaning and have pictures on the walls, check behind the pictures. I
probably found a total of 100 to 110 just on my balcony. I had a box for
trash and that is where most of them seemed to flock to. My extermination
process is a bit odd, but I found that 90% isopropel alcohol kills them in
seconds. Spray them with it, or put them in a cup full of it. DEAD.
Jen
18 Dec 2009, 13:16
OMG!! I just almost swallowed a stink bug! I think it was in my glass in
the cabinet and I went to drank iced tea and thankfully spit it out! I am
so sceaved out! My husband says there a million in our attic, thanks to
this website I realize we should put a screen in our attic vent. I forgot
about our vent.
Jennie
25 Dec 2009, 23:44
Diana, we too live in Lebanon County, PA, north of Lebanon and we are
battling stink bugs too. My cousin lives in the Reading area and they have
them too, so they are everywhere in this area. You are not alone. I just
killed one this evening, it was on my back and I smelled him until I
realized where it was, I yanked off my shirt adn killed him with my shoe.
Then I took a a shower and threw the clothes in the washer, as for the bug
it was buried at sea. Thanks, Bob for the advice, I poured a bottle of 90%
isopropel alcohol in a squirt bottle and I am ready now for battle. Thanks
again Bob!
mike
09 Jan 2010, 10:02
I'm in Pittsburgh, Pa. this fall when the weather become colder, i was
overrun with stink bug hiding out in space between window & screen. And
tried to remove them from there as best i could. But made sure i didn't
open any windows for them to sneak in. I normally keep my house dark. But
recently (very cold weather streak here) they are appearing randomly in my
house. One appears about once a week. Then i let the crawl onto a napkin
and kick them into the snow. I have no idea where they are coming from.
Any suggestions?
Wayne Metz
18 Jan 2010, 00:19
Regarding interior home treatment for stink bugs, What are the advantages
or disadvantages of using Baygon aerosol spray?
c lEWIS
28 Jan 2010, 20:40
Would love to hear about any solutions for eliminating them from indoors.
I hate these things.. We are just north of Boston, MA
PB
30 Jan 2010, 12:09
I live in Hershey, PA. Just bought a lovely house and now I am killing 3
to 5 stinkbugs a day. Horrible! Will try the "alcohol spray." Thanks.
Margaret Ann
01 Feb 2010, 22:46
Thanks for the alcohol idea! I tried RAID foggers - but apparently, they
did not work. We had a few good days but one just showed itself. I am so
disgusted.
CL
02 Feb 2010, 00:51
Tried the alcohol spray, simple irritated the thing. I maybe dealing with
something different here possibly Kissing bug, assassin bug or conenose,,,
still gives off the stink.
Chip
03 Feb 2010, 18:25
Maybe we have a different breed, but I have NEVER smelled anything! Looks
like all the stinkbugs I see online. They seem to have NO fear of me when
I pick them up and throw them outside!
patty
03 Feb 2010, 19:46
These things are disgusting. I just moved to Hillsborough NJ and they are
everywhere , inside and outside. I wrote the mayor and health department.
They do not die and are gross. I want to move. what is being done? everyone
needs to complain. Rutgers department is trying to work on something. this
is just gross. they are everywhere and I want to move. where else are they?
do they go south jersey?
Rich
03 Feb 2010, 22:05
We are in Clinton, NJ and are infested with them. I see about 5-10 a day. I
pick them up with a tissue and flush them down the toilet...into the septic
tank!!! We had an exterminator treat the house last fall and they are still
here.
John
15 Feb 2010, 20:50
We are in central Maryland and have been finding these bothersome pests for
over a year. We find a few almost every day - usually crawling on the
floor or across furniture. Flush em when we find 'em but wish there was a
way of eliminating them - and we have sealed all windows, doors, etc. as
good as possible.
Dee in Hillside NJ
16 Feb 2010, 15:58
Horrible! They are back. I sealed myself up all winter and now I've just
killed the 1st which I know of more to come. I rent the 2nd floor and my
uninfested landlord lives on the 1st. Just provide me with ways not to take
them with me when I move. They don't have to get an exterminator. I have
no problem picking up my butt and running after what I went through 2009
fall/winter. Damn this!
lynn bradley bull
18 Feb 2010, 12:12
Please help me. I can hear them in the middle of the crash against the
window or a door. I was watching TV the other night and saw one crawling
inside the middle of the screen. I live in Maryland and it's 32 degrees?
they went away but have recently re appeared again? What going on? I too am
ready to move, they creep me out. The only thing that works for me is
flushing them. please help me in any way you can.
Angie
18 Feb 2010, 20:43
We live in Charles Town, WV and this is the 3rd year we have had these
annoying stinkers and each year they have been multiplying. At first it was
only one here and there, but now I'm throwing out at least 4-5 out a day!!!
They don't seem to like the snow when thrown into it...I have also tried
the flushing method many has mentioned. Another forum had mentioned
something called Cyonara 9.7. Has anyone tried this?They are taking over my
home and I don't know what to do....we need a solution!!!
Nancy
20 Feb 2010, 12:24
How do i get rid of stink bug
R Arnold
20 Feb 2010, 15:06
I have had stink bugs infestation in my garden increasing each year. They
tend to congregate on the butternut squash and suck the liquid out of the
skin. The surface under them usually turns a darker brown. I am going to
try using Ladybugs and/or Praying Mantis to control the larve. I try to
maintain an organic environment as much as possible.
Any suggestions or what else to try?
Cindy
21 Feb 2010, 20:10
They have invaded Holmdel NJ... This is the second year I have noticed this
type of bug, and they have been getting into my house all winter now. I'm
praying that they will move back outside once it gets warmer, but I know
I'm fooling myself.. they were inside last summer too! Worst part is when
they divebomb you!! I have been HIT by three in the past two weeks and it
freaks you out!! I also have a new bug I've discovered.. it has longer
legs and antennas, looks almost like a wasp when it flies, but it's not a
wasp. UGH.
I'm going to need therapy soon..
Kathy
26 Feb 2010, 10:29
The first one I saw was in 2006 in a pile of laundry my daughter brought
home from Haverford, PA where she first saw the strange bug invading her
dorm back when she was a freshman. Two years later we'd see the occasional
"haverbug" in our home. This fall/winter we are killing one or two a day
in our house. We smash them, but perceive no stink. Do they always have an
odor?
Happy to hear they don't reproduce in the house, but they sure are
multiplying here in Metuchen, NJ.
Anne McCarthy
01 Mar 2010, 15:11
They're back. I'm in Potomac, MD and fall 2009 was the worst. I thought I
would go mad. Hundreds and hundreds of them. And now it's started again.
I don't know if I can take it. I realize they are now trying to leave the
house but it doesn't help my psyche. I sprayed the entire house a few
times last fall but may have begun too late. This year I plan to douse and
douse starting in August. From what I read there's really no way to keep
them at bay completely but if I have to relive the numbers this year I will
go mad. I don't think moving is the answer since they seem to be invading
all areas at a fast pace.
joe
02 Mar 2010, 18:57
they came over from the asia countries, we did nothing to stop them some
years ago, now, the pest control company are having a field day with us,$$$
there is not much we can do just check for outside cranks along the
foundation, window seal, attic. Just seal around the foundation, and
windows and hope for the best! lol joe
Jake
03 Mar 2010, 00:21
I recently moved back home, and I am finding two or three stink bugs a day.
The smell is awful, and it drives my mother crazy as well, but my dad
doesn't notice (although it's possible this is just another method of his
for making light of the problem). I keep a roll of toilet paper in my room
and I just grab a few sheets, squish 'em and flush 'em. I'm relieved to
learn that they can't breed indoors, but I would love a way to spray for
them.
marg
04 Mar 2010, 00:18
Finally, I found somebody who is going through what I'm just now
experiencing. My first episode was this morning. Sitting on my pillow was
one of those creeping looking things. I squased it. Now I have it in a
tissue and was going to take it to work to see if anybody knew what it was.
Take a look at that armor it has. Geez! Please don't tell me that I'm
now going to have a problem. How am I going to get some sleep?
Frank
04 Mar 2010, 22:22
Hi from western Loudoun County, VA. Fall 2008 was the first year they
appeared. I though the numbers then were tremendous, but this past Fall we
were so overwhelmed by these pests. They appear daily as soon as the
afternoon sun hits our house. Our window screens literally get covered.
They're everywhere searching for crevices on our house, shed, cars, RV.
Outside I use a shop vac (dedicated to this task) to capture as many as I
could reach. Inside, we capture them with tissues and flush them. We did
our best to seal up, but I believe they still made it in, becuase they are
increasingly appearing in our house. I thing they found entry through our
attic. They have truly affect the quality of life we enjoyed here. I fear
this season will be worse. Not enough is being done to stop these pests
and it looks like they're here to stay. I've tested some pestisides, and
the best I've found is ACE Indoor Fogger, whose active ingredient is
Cypermethrin. This worked fairly well in my shed, garage, and RV... and I
plan to use it in my attic, although I am not that keen on using such
chemicals in my house. We need help.
Suzie
06 Mar 2010, 14:35
So glad I read this. These things are making me crazy. I live south of
Pittsburgh. First started seeing them in the fall. I go a few day and
don't see any and then they are back. Need to find a solution soon.
Kathi
07 Mar 2010, 11:03
I'm in Frederick County, MD, near Harper's Ferry/Loudoun County. I flushed
10 down the toilet last night from my bedroom. Last fall, they coated my
screen door. How does one adjust to unwanted pets?
Marg
07 Mar 2010, 18:02
I live in Somerset, NJ. So far, I only saw one. My husband is taking the
squashed bug to an exterminator. He's from Virginia and said that were
there years ago.
Susanne
09 Mar 2010, 20:38
They are here in Southern New Jersey too. We find several each day, usually
near windows or doors. Tonight we found 2 crawling on our living room
floor. I am not usually creeped out by bugs, but these guys make me
shutter. The noise they make when they buzz by your head is enough to make
me scream, especially at night when I am in bed. Nothing has worked to get
rid of them. We are totally creeped out by them and don't know what to
do.....
Amaelia
11 Mar 2010, 04:27
let's be clear on one issue; the population of pennsylvania alone is
pushing 13 million, and being that these little beasties seem to be popping
up everywhere - and increasingly so - it would be a fallacy to state that
even if every man, woman, and child (even just of pennsylvania) were to buy
a can (not even a case!) of stinkbugicide, it would not cover the tens of
millions of dollars it would cost to develop such a product. this is
especially true considering stink bugs seem to be invading much of the
eastern seaboard - and rapidly spreading elsewhere. in my opinion,
manufacturers would be (*gasp!*) making an intelligent move by implementing
such a product for commercial and/or residential use. as the stinkbug is
(thus the name) stinky and likewise has no natural predators in these
parts, it is highly, HIGHLY unlikely that this infestation will simply
"pass." i first noticed them three years ago, and at this point in time
(remember, it isn't even officially spring yet!) i can't even get out of
bed, make a cup of coffee, or take a shower without encountering a stink
bug.
King StinkBug
12 Mar 2010, 21:59
Attention! People of America! I am King Stinkie, Highest Exalted Ruler and
Grand Poobah of all stinkbugs! Your sprays and pesticides are no good
against us! Relent and accept us as you would any visitor to your home.
Can't we all just get along?
