Here come the stink bugs...

Entomologist Gary Hevel at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., explains the recent invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs (stinkbug) in the U.S. and how to get rid of them.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• stink bugs
• stink bug
• stinkbug
• stinkbugs
• remove stinkbugs
• get rid of stink bugs
• kill stinkbugs
• stinkbugs in house
• stink bugs in home
• vacuum
• pesticide
• exterminate
• spray
• Smithsonian science

[232cooldude232]

I NEED YOU TO RESPOND TO THIS IN THE WINTER WILL THEY DIE OFF OR WILL THEY STAY IN YOUR HOUSE RESPOND I NEED YOU TO RESPOND PLEASE RESPOND I WANT THEM TO BE OUT OF MY HOUSE PLEASE RESPOND

[SmithsonianScience]

@232cooldude232: Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs enter houses to overwinter. They crawl into every kind of available space, including sock drawers and blankets on shelves. Because they can be active in houses during the winter months, their presence is not a true hibernation. In general, they can survive the few months, but sometimes they will suck juices from fruit (apples, pears, etc.) that may be in fruit bowls.

[JackieMcGruffster]

Realistically speaking; what kind of time frame are we looking at before someone comes up with a way to control and/or eradicate these pests?  They seem to be increasing in numbers each year and also causing more damage to crops.

[SmithsonianScience]

@JackieMcGruffster Gary Hevel responds: "Studies of insects extend in a variety of directions. Methods of control are evaluated by entomologists with the United States Department of Agriculture, and are generally outside my expertise. However, I would think that the process of developing pheromones (air borne chemicals) that mimic those of the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug would be a long process, probably 3 to 5 years. Finding & using parasites of these bugs for control is a long process."

[JackieMcGruffster]

@SmithsonianScience - Gary; thanks for the reply and follow-up. According to another recent video posted entitled " Stink bugs causing crop damage in Maryland" (was unable to post the actual link) the USDA is working on a proposal to get help from Congress (not sure what they would be able to do except maybe allocate increased funding). Are our researchers in contact with their counterparts in Asia to see if they have any additional ideas ? 

[SmithsonianScience]

Jackie; thanks for your further interest in this subject. Certainly, in nature, the BMSBs are known as minor pests to fruits and vegetables, and the level of damage depends on the numbers of the bugs. A focus on research would occur with increased funding. Certainly, researchers on BMSBs thoroughly investigate any earlier studies from previous work in Asia for that historical perspective. --Gary Hevel

[wralphh]

2:30 wtf

[rmarzella85]

thumbs up if your looking at a stink bug right now

[brohan914]

dude fuck these things, they started showing up in my house two summers ago. I just killed three of them TODAY

[irnbruirnbru4]

they watch us in the shower! o___o

[SirCuddleBuns]

OH GOD THESE BUGS ARE GROSS

They been in my bed before! And they buzz around! And my room isn't even that messy DX

[ClubBangerTV]

i wouldn't have a problem with the bugs other than the fact that they fly... sorry, that's too much freedom in my home and privacy. ya gots ta go! i haven't seen them do anything to me, never been harmed by one... never killed one, but once i saw them spread their wings i had to get out the RAID. i don't like things flying in my house - it's creepy.

[Soccer4life1122]

I hate these things so much!! Just the other day a dead one fell on my shoulder and I just freaked out and started screaming!!! Disgusting bugs these are.

[Pwn3dbyth3n00b]

i havent seen one since last winter and i live in the DMV

[unicornlxi]

I've heard alot over the years about the USDA and Ag. extension services studying paracitic wasps that are native to Asia and thus a natural control that is absent here in the States. The lack of natural predation is why their numbers seem to be increasing exponentially. Do you know how these experiments are progressing and how long until these paracites are imported, bred and releasd? BMSBs are not only a quality of life problem but an agricultural one. WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN FOR MORE FUNDING!

[leopardandlacelove]

I have one in my room right now and I keep staring at it. It's too high up my wall for me to kill it...So i'm hoping that lazer beams magically come out of my eyes and I don't have to touch it.

[MacaulaysClubKid]

Those freakers are disgusting >.< I saw one of them crawling on the ceiling I freaked out and killed it with a stick & in the process the freaker stunk up the whole room ! Ewwww they are sooo disgusting !