Control of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug with Insecticide-Treated Window Screens, 2015: Table 1

Abstract

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a major nuisance pest, aggregating in and on buildings as they seek overwintering habitat during the winter months. Due to this activity, control efforts have focused on safeguarding entryways on structures to keep these insects from entering. This trial was conducted in Blacksburg, VA, starting on 24 Sep 2014 and focused on screen treatments to kill BMSB before they are able to enter a building by creating mesh bags (8 × 16 inches) from polyethylene window screen with three sides sewn together. Bags were treated with 9 currently labeled BMSB insecticide products by mixing each in 1 gal of water according to the highest labeled rate. Four bags were then dipped for 5 s into each of the insecticide solutions placed in a pan and all were allowed to dry approximately 1 h. There were also 4 bags dipped into a water control. The experiment consisted of a total of 40 treated screen bags that were arranged in a completely randomized design hung on a nylon clothesline, which allowed exposure to ambient weather conditions, including temperature, wind, rainfall, and sunlight for the duration of the experiment. This allowed us to simulate typical degradation of each insecticide under normal conditions outside. Starting at 1 h after treatment, 10 BMSB adults were placed in each bag, which was then fastened closed with a clothespin. After exposure to each treatment for 48 h, mortality of the bugs was assessed by categorizing bugs as alive, dead, or moribund (intoxicated and unable to right themselves when on their dorsal side). This process was repeated approximately each week until none of the treated bags were killing bugs anymore. The bags remained in the field for the duration of the experiment.