Pest Control Questions Answered

Expanded Question:     

Hi,

This winter I have a infestation of what looks like brown marmorated stink bugs in my house. I've heard they are a problem in houses all over the mid-atlantic this winter. For me, they particularly congregate in the bathroom around the sink.  I thought they were living down the drain so I closed the drains as an experiment.  I found they crawled out of the overflow trap instead.  I ran the sink until it hit the overflow trap then added a little drain opener.  Is there anything else I can do to kill the nest they seem to have down there?  Have you heard of them living in drains?

Thank you for your generous advice!

Lynnis
Charles Town, WV

Answer:

Hello Lynnis--

If you do really have BMSB(brown marmorated stink bugs), your
State Agricultural department would like to know of them. They will tell you in what manner they want you to send a specimen. It is possible that they will visit you to confirm identity.

These true bugs were introduced through some unknown event, from the Far East where they are native, and feed on ornamentals, fruit trees, legumes, and other wild plantings. 

I'm not acquainted with this species.  They are being dispersed over the Mid-Atlantic States.  They were first reported in Eastern Pennsylvania.  It seems that homeowners are the first to discover them as they seek winter refuge in protected areas such as homes.

I have a complete explanation for how to manage stink bugs, on my website, www.pestproblemssolved.com, and, on this allexperts site.
Please refer to IfKammer's question--"Flying Insects" from 12/31/07. 

Concerning your discovery of these bugs in your bathroom drain, they may have moved out from the exterior wall, within where they found   refuge.  Possibly, when the weather warmed, the sun shining on the west or south sides of the home, these creatures moved to the interior where the bathroom was accessed from the aperture where a drain pipe entered the wall.  From there, they entered the drain in one single episode possibly attracted to the drain opening.  This does seem strange because the shelter searching starts in mid to late September.  I don,t believe there would be a second re-gathering within a heated building if the bugs appear inside.  You may be seeing bugs that fell into the sink after they exited wall openings, and when there, crawled into the drain or overflow opening. 

Use a pyrethroid dust such as deltaguard, using a duster,  repeatedly, squeeze the dust into the overflow opening of the sink.

I recommend the use of a vacuum cleaner rather than spraying anywhere else.  You do not want wholesale kill that would attract
Dermestid beetles such as carpet or larder beetles that could later become their own household problem.

Please contact me again if you require more help on this or any other pest concern.

Best wishes,

George Manning
Consulting Entomologist