Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs (BMSB) are invasive insects considered an agricultural pest and a structural nuisance. Pest management professionals receive calls about this and other overwintering pests in the fall and spring when insects attempt to enter and exit structures, respectively. The goal of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of physical exclusion in preventing indoor populations of BMSB. Twenty-three homeowners in a condominium complex in Hartsdale, NY agreed to participate, including 10 side-by-side units and one group of three. Gaps around windows and doors were eliminated in one unit per grouping with a standard, readily available sealant. Two light traps were installed in all homes to monitor stink bug populations, including SilenTraps in living spaces and GLOStiks in attics. Overa15-month period that included three trapping sessions (fall 2015, spring 2016, fall 2016), a total of only eight overwintering pests were intercepted on SilenTraps. While two of the intercepted insects came from units that received exclusion, the remaining six came from control or untreated units. These findings are discussed in the context of pre-and post-survey results about the pest status of BMS Band regional trends in stink bug populations.

Download