Joe writes
I live in Virginia where Stink Bugs have become an epidemic. The problem is increased when you kill them, as that is when they emit the most odor, which attracts more Stink Bugs.
Permethrin SFR will kill stink bugs but there are other products such as Cyper WP which lasts a bit longer and stays on the surface of porous areas making it more available to this pest. Unfortunately if you are dealing with them in your house right now you will only see limited results. Stink bugs move into structures to overwinter. They usually squeeze into wall voids, false ceilings, attics and other areas that are inaccessible to people and insecticides. As the heat kicks on in the house, the stink bugs warm up and start becoming active and emerge from hiding, driving homeowners nuts. Because most folks usually have no idea where the bugs are harboring you can only treat around baseboards, door frames and window frames and hope the insects will emerge where you have sprayed. After they contact the treated areas it can take several hours for them to die. It is still worth spraying now to get rid of some of the bugs, but you will keep seeing them until late spring when they will emerge en masse and leave your home. They do not eat, mate or lay eggs while indoors so need to worry about any damage or future baby stink bugs. This year you can be proactive by stopping these pests before they move in for the winter. You should spray Cyper WP outdoors around your door frames, window frames, vents, eaves, around the bottom of your foundation, and any other crack or crevice where an insect could gain entry once a month August-November. Most folks see a 80-90% reduction in stink bugs the first year and even better results in the following years as the stinkbug pheromone fades away.
Answer last updated on: 05/18/2011
