| I run into all kinds of people in Pennsylvania, from Amish | | | | but now, admitting defeat and calling for |
| to every other culture. It seems no matter what one's | | | | reinforcements. I, like a good Sargent, say "Well done |
| background is, they all have something in | | | | soldier, at ease". They did their best, and deserve a |
| common--they hate Stink Bugs! So what is one to do? | | | | medal, because they did not give up. But then there |
| Either make the adjustment and live with them, or find | | | | are those who spent a lot of money on exclusion |
| a spray, home-remedy, or try to exclude them in some | | | | tactics, caulking everything they can find where a Stink |
| manner. | | | | Bug might emerge from. This is normally a good |
| Now some folks prefer to leave nature alone. But | | | | practice in pest control, but the brown marmorated |
| when it comes to dozens and dozens of these little | | | | stink beast is different. What folks do not know |
| brown marmorated bugs, even these people leave | | | | without tackling them professionally is, that unlike any |
| behind their convictions. I have had people confide in | | | | other pest we deal with, they have an unbelievable |
| me that these critters are hurting their marriage. I hear | | | | way of finding heat sources, causing them to press in |
| things like, "Sir, these guys don't bother me, but my | | | | anywhere you never dreamed they could. As an |
| wife can't sleep knowing they are in the house." Now, I | | | | example, what do you do when these bugs emerge |
| never thought of pest control as marriage enrichment, | | | | from the fireplace? But mind you, you never knew that |
| but it does take me back to the biblical principle in | | | | this is where they came from until the pest control guy |
| Genesis, "Take dominion over everything (including | | | | told you (if you have one that is willing to take on Stink |
| Stink Bugs) that creeps." If we just sit back and think | | | | Bugs!). Yeh, now you have a problem. They are |
| that "nature will take care of itself", I think we will be in | | | | following the heat down the chimney and going into the |
| trouble with these stinkers. | | | | living room or whatever room the fireplace is in. And |
| I have read many bloggers blasting folks for whining | | | | what about the window-mounted air conditioner that |
| about having a stinking infestation, but I never heard | | | | you stored in the closet? You probably didn't realize |
| them say, "We got them and we don't care.", probably | | | | you just gave yourself a good case of Stink-itis. "How |
| because you just never really get used to them. Just | | | | in the world did they get into the air conditioner?", you |
| some observations here: First, Stink Bugs make the | | | | ask. The better question is, "How do you get them |
| sound of a small helicopter when they go past your | | | | out?"! |
| head. If you have ever had it happen, you are right | | | | If we can move on beyond the question as to |
| with me here. Secondly, I have customers that can | | | | whether it is okay kill them (or agree for the sake of |
| smell them in the house, and if you have never smelled | | | | moving on), let's talk about control. Now most of you |
| an infestation in your walls (yes, in your walls!), it has | | | | have learned the hard lesson that over-the-counter |
| the fragrance of a two-month-old bowl of smashed | | | | products do not seem to work too well. Or work for a |
| cherries in 90 degree heat. I know that those of you | | | | little at the least. This is due to the design of these |
| out there who are regretfully chuckling know what I | | | | products to break down, even though they boast they |
| mean. Or better yet, it smells like a perfume that just | | | | last for months. Frankly, I have not seen anything that |
| did not come out right in the lab; like a men's rugby | | | | is not professional strength work on Stink Bugs. But |
| team was in charge of QC. | | | | more specifically, I have not seen anything that is not |
| So I think it is safe to answer the question and say, | | | | micro-encapsulated work on stopping them from |
| yes, it is okay to kill Stink Bugs. To tell people that they | | | | entering a structure. What that means is that the |
| have to live with them, is beyond my ability to be cruel. | | | | active ingredient in the product has a microscopic |
| I know that everyone wants to be green and not hurt | | | | bubble surrounding it, protecting it from the elements. |
| anything, but my experience with this is, when it comes | | | | Professionally, I have tried many products, and it |
| to invaders in the bedroom or kid's room, it doesn't | | | | seems that the "Micro-cap" category works best. |
| matter what it is, especially when it's by the dozens. | | | | However, if you already have them in the walls, this is |
| Let us move on and talk about what can be done (if | | | | a different story. You will need a "dust" or pesticide |
| you are a skeptic, who thinks you can still live them, | | | | powder, if you prefer. Dusts have a long active period, |
| you may continue to read; you might change your mind | | | | some up to eight months. When used correctly, they |
| and need the information later). | | | | leave a residue within your walls that kills Stink Bugs |
| Usually by the time someone calls me, they have tried | | | | before they emerge into the living areas. If you decide |
| everything under the kitchen sink, every home remedy | | | | to tackle themselves, I highly recommend these two |
| on the internet, and their neighbor's advice. But still, they | | | | categories of pest control products. Otherwise, you |
| call. And so proud of the war they have been fighting, | | | | might just have to live with them. |