754 Invasive Stink Bugs and Related Species (Pentatomoidea)
applications. For non-chemical control, before temperature decreases to below 10°C on average at night-
time in the fall, homeowners and property manager can reduce overwintering sites such as leaf-litter and
excessive mulch where many bugs congregate. Property owners can reduce or remove plants for species
like Megacopta cribraria that have a known plant preference, such as kudzu or even wisteria (Benson
and Greene 2012). Many individual or aggregating species of pentatomoids will first alight on structures
in light colored areas or on the warmest side (Smith and Whitman 2007). Sealing as many cracks and
crevices as possible on these structures, especially on sides prone to pest invasions, helps prevent bugs
from entering (Meek 2011). Exclusion methods include caulking and weather stripping; and screening
vents, windows, and doors. For species that are attracted to light such as Halyomorpha halys, lights can
be turned off during periods when aggregation tend to occur or changed to yellow bulbs or sodium vapor
lights that are less attractive to most insect pests (Smith and Whitman 2007).
For the pentatomoids that do invade structures, mechanical removal is a better strategy for control than
insecticide treatments. If large number of bugs are killed and not removed, especially in inaccessible
void areas, their dead bodies often create odor problems or serve as a food source for secondary pests
such as ants or dermestid beetles (Meek 2011). For low numbers of invading bugs, sweeping them up or
vacuuming often is a good option. However, bugs can leave a lingering odor in vacuum hoses (Smith and
Whitman 2007). For large numbers of bugs, a wet/dry vacuum with some soapy water in the canister
will kill the bugs; in a common household vacuum, it will reduce the potential of foul odors (Benson and
Greene 2012). If a regular vacuum is used, the bag should be discarded. However, if bugs are removed,
crushing them should be avoided as their body secretions can cause staining (Benson and Greene 2012).
Most insecticide active ingredients and formulations labeled for household and structural use will kill
stink bugs and related families, especially pyrethroid-based spray products (Nielsen et al. 2008, Seiter
et al. 2013). If used, insecticide treatments are best applied to outdoor areas to kill invading bugs before
they enter structures. For the species that aggregate in large numbers, one treatment strategy is to spray
the bugs directly or spot treat the structural areas where they tend to congregate. This is especially effec-
tive in the fall when night-time temperatures start to cool to approximately 10° C or below (Benson and
Greene 2012). In the spring, it may be unnecessary to chemically treat bugs as they move from structures
back to plants. However, if they need to be treated, the best strategy is to treat the bugs directly on sunny,
cool mornings before they become active (Benson and Greene 2012).
In general, most pentatomoids are not structure-invading pests. The few that are tend to be incidental
and seasonal, with most invasions occurring when seasonal temperatures begin to cool in the fall season.
This provides the opportunity to plan and establish seasonal strategies for control rather than a year-
round treatment program. Employing a seasonal-based plan enables homeowners, property managers,
and PMPs the ability to employ many non-chemical strategies and targeted chemical treatments as part
of an urban IPM program for structure-infesting pentatomoids.
16.4 Future Management Practices
16.4.1 Innovative Precision Agriculture Techniques
Management of insects using precision agriculture techniques continues to be a definitive goal of inte-
grated pest management programs. Because precision agriculture is a measured and minimal expenditure
of resources by definition, especially when referring to the judicious use of insecticides, it is completely
compatible with the principles of IPM. Although advances with precision agriculture tactics have been
made (Zhang et al. 2002), the biggest challenges to broader adoption center on the difficulties in develop-
ing decision-support systems for applying precision management inputs (McBratney et al. 2005). Despite
complications related to decision making using data gathered for targeting inputs, the tools to precisely
place inputs are in place and await proper decision-support systems. Global information systems and
global positioning systems have made possible extremely accurate mapping of fields (Stafford 2000,
Lamb and Brown 2001) and guidance equipment on tractors and sprayers (Bell 2000, Reid et al. 2000,
Batte and Ehsani 2006). These advances have allowed for the creation of precision-input maps using
soil characteristics, such as soil electrical conductivity (Lund et al. 1999, Adamchuk et al. 2004), yields