Marmorated stink bugs are relatively new to the U.S.

Hello, I’m Amanda McNulty with Clemson Extension and Making It Grow. The brown marmorated stink bug was first found on the East Coast in Pennsylvania in 2001, on the West Coast they were found in 2004. Scientists think they arrived as stowaways on airplanes or cargo ships. They have few natural enemies here, predatory stink bugs, yes there are good stink bugs, and predatory wasps. Although they can be controlled with pesticides, it requires frequent applications and conflicts with integrated pest management programs which are designed to limit pesticides applications. These guys will eat almost anything --fruit and vegetable crops, pecans, some shade trees and, this is hard to believe, English ivy! They inject enzymes that liquify plant tissues and then suck up the juices.