Home Repairs and Yard Cleanliness Are Green Actions to Help Control the Invasive Stink Bug

Stink bugs, not harmful to people, are spreading rapidly, becoming more of a nuisance and destructive. For homeowners and gardeners, the bugs are annoying and they can damage ornamental trees and flowers, fruits and vegetables. Currently, there are only a few "green" or organic solutions to manage the growing number of stink bugs.

They are called stink bugs because of the powerful, pungent and horrible smell they released when alarmed or squashed. The stench is the insects way of alarming others of danger and in mating. In the fall, when the weather cools, the stink bugs search for places to find warmth. Stink bugs can enter homes, tens of thousands of them are possible, through tiny cracks, broken screens and open attic vents.

Stink bugs are relative newcomers to the United States and were first discovered in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1998. The invasive stink bugs have now swarmed into other regions creating a nauseous headache for homeowners and a menace to agriculture. They have been documented in Washington D.C and the states of: California, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Missouri, New York, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Recently in Maine, stink bugs were discovered at an vehicle service center where the bugs were discovered hiding in vans and trailers seeking warmth. In Pennsylvania, the bugs have created serious problems for organic growers, and in Maryland, swarms of the stink bugs have damaged agricultural crops.

Technically, known as Halyomorpha halys or the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB), they originated in Asia and are believed to have been accidentally introduced to North America. Although there are native species of stink bugs in North America, the invading BMSB can be identified by it's unique cooper or bluish metallic color and deep red eyes. Adults can be 17 mm and have the same type of stink bug shield appearance. They are secretive, loud and strong fliers.

The best green options to prevent the stink bugs from seeking the winter warmth of a house is to repair screens, cracks, air conditioning units, door trims and vents to prevent them from entering. Once inside, they are difficult, and smelly, to eradicate. Their droppings will leave orange spots on linens and curtains. Killing them with chemical sprays is toxic and ineffective and can lead to other bug problems; carpet beetles like to feast on the dead stink bugs. With the approach of winter weather, the added benefit to home owners, is the simple home repair work to keep out the stink bugs helps to save winter heat inside the home.

In the yard and garden, cleanliness in the fall is one of the best options to prevent future problems. Stink bugs like a lot of vegetation in shady, moist areas. Stink bugs will hide under leave piles, old boards, newspaper and plastic and containers. It is important to keep the garden clean to control the stink bug problem. Some have suggested the removal of weeds near garden areas is also an important organic or green control since the stink bugs feed on the nectar of flowering weeds. A fall clean up aids the gardener much the same as the home repair work, it will prevent future problems in the spring.

During the growing season, the use of companion planting appears to be successful in managing the stink bug. Stink bugs can damage tomatoes, peppers, beans and corn as well as apples, peaches and raspberries. According to some, strong scented herbs such as garlic, marigolds and thyme can be successful as companion plants as well as trap crops. Stink bugs, like many pesky insects, seem to be attracted to yellow flowers which can be used as a trap crop and then the bugs disposed properly such as knocking them into a bucket of soapy water. Currently, there are no known natural predators for the stink bug.

Currently, many agricultural agencies and universities are conducting research on how best to control this newest invasive insect which, which not harmful to people, is definitely smelly, and destructive to vegetables, flowers and trees. Organic, green solutions for both the homeowner and gardener will certainly be welcome as the insects really multiplied in the heat of 2010. For now, the best options remain home repair and yard and garden cleanliness.