Yvonne:

There is no one pesticide that can be applied for the control of these bugs on both plants and buildings. Following are some ways and tips for control and management of Stink bugs.

Control Tips for inside the house

• Stink bugs do not do any structural damage to homes, and they do not sting or bite; and they do not eat or bore into wood structures.
• Stink bugs release foul smelling chemicals to avoid predators.
• Killing a stink bug does not attract more stink bugs.
• Using an insecticide indoors is not recommended because this will not stop additional invasions, and exposure of humans and pets to pesticides should be avoided.
• An effective and inexpensive method of control is to place a foil roasting pan filled with some water and a few drops of dish soap, point a light into the pan, and place it in a dark room. Bugs will be attracted to the light and will fall into the water and drown.
• Another efficient way to collect stink bugs indoors is by sucking them up with a dry or wet vacuum. A nylon stocking can be stuffed inside the vacuum tube and securing the end over the outside of the vacuum tube with a rubber band; this way, bugs are collected in the stocking and not the vacuum cleaner bag. Individual stink bugs can be brushed off into a cut-off plastic bottle containing an inch of soapy water.
• Sweep the bugs into a container of soapy water. Cut the top off a straight-sided plastic container-½ gallon to one gallon size. Fill the bottom ¼ of the container with water mixed with a teaspoon of liquid detergent or soap. Place your hand, a piece of cardboard, or whisk broom over top of the bugs wherever they are in your home and sweep them down into the container. Or slide the container up a wall, window, or drapes where bugs are resting to get them to drop down into the soapy water. They cannot escape and will eventually drown. You can attach your container to a pole or broom handle to reach high locations.

Control Tips for outside the house

• When a BMSB finds a suitable winter shelter, it secretes a chemical odor that attracts other stink bugs.
• Although application of insecticides outside structures and around potential entry points may temporarily deter stink bugs from entering homes, the sprays break down rapidly, often within days.
• Live and dead stink bugs can be removed from the outside of buildings with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac, and the vacuum bag should be promptly removed and discarded. Sweeping stink bugs into containers can also be effective when the bugs are easy to access and have congregated in large numbers; wait until it is cool, so they do not fly. Spraying the bugs with a stream of water will dislodge them but they will return.
• The best way to keep stink bugs from entering homes and other buildings is to exclude them. Locate openings where the insects can gain access, such as cracks around windows, doors, screens, utility pipes, window air conditioners, vents, siding, and underneath fascia boards. These entry points should be sealed with good quality silicone, silicone-latex caulk, or foam sealant. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced. Install weather stripping around the edges of doorframes. Adjust or install tight-fitting sweeps or thresholds at the bottom of exterior doors. Fill gaps on the edges of window air conditioner units and cover with screen material if necessary. You should remove window-mounted air conditioners for the winter. Prevent entry into attics by putting window screening inside gable vents.
• Using lures has been shown to be effective for catching early-season as well as late-season BMSB.
• There is no one pesticide that can be applied for the control of these bugs on both plants and buildings.

Chemical Control of Landscape Pests list the following pesticides

Repeated treatments may be needed to control these pests effectively. Insecticides such as Insecticidal Soap, Summer Horticultural Oils, may be used depending on the species or cultivar. Always read product labels carefully before purchase. Look for information on phytotoxicity that can occur on sensitive plants or under some environmental conditions.

The above suggestions of trapping, vacuuming, and washing are really a better safer approach. I think washing (with soap) is important as you are likely removing some of the chemical scent that attracts more of the bugs.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Rich

Some additional web sites with information:

Managing Pests in Gardens: Invertebrates: True Bugs—UC IPM (ucanr.edu)

ef419.pdf (uky.edu)