Stink Bug Control

 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) are originally from China, Japan and surrounding areas. They were accidentally introduce to the United States and first discovered in Pennsylvania in 1998. They have since spread throughout the northeast and mid-atlantic areas and are becoming increasingly common pests in homes and gardens in the Washington D.C metropolitan region. Adult beetles primarily overwinter inside protected shelters, such as homes, instead of in the leaf litter as do many other species of Stink Bug. The adults begin moving to their overwintering locations in early-mid September and continue until the first frost. During the winter, they do not reproduce, and feeding, if any, will be minimal. They are plant feeders and will not bite people or pets.

To control BMSB, the best method is to prevent them from entering the shelter in question. Placement of screens over windows, doors, and vents along with caulking cracks in windows and doorframes will deter the adults from entering. Removal of window air conditioners is important also, as numerous BMSB 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 choose to purchase and apply insect controls yourself. Spraying cracks and crevices around windows and doors can help to prevent stink bugs from entering your home. Rutgers University has screened numerous active ingredients found in insecticides to determine their effectiveness against adult BMSB. The following tables of insecticides, compiled by Merrifield Garden Center, contain the active ingredients that have been shown to be effective against stink bugs in laboratory studies at Rutgers University. Please follow label instructions, as well as proper safety and application procedures. 
Products recommended by Merrifield Garden Center for Brown Marmorated Stink Bug:

Product Name	Active Ingredient	Interior Home Use	Exterior Home Use	Garden Use
Bonide - Household Insect Control	Deltamethrin	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bayer - Home Pest Control	β-cyfluthrin	Yes	Yes	Yes
Bonide - Eight Garden and Home	Permethrin	Yes	Yes	Yes
Ortho - Max Lawn & Garden Insect Killer	Bifenthrin	No	Yes	Yes
Bayer- Power Force Multi-Insect Killer	Cyfluthrin	No	Yes	Yes
Bonide - Beetle Killer RTS	A-cyhalothrin	No	Yes	Yes
Ortho - Max Flower, Fruit & Vegetable Insect Killer		No	No	Yes
Ortho - Rose Pride Insect Killer	Acetamiprid	No	No	Yes
Bonide - Beetle Killer RTS	A-cyhalothrin	No	Yes	Yes

    
Please follow label instructions, as well as proper safety and application procedures.