Watch out for The Kudzu Bug

Megacopta cribraria, also known as kudzu bugs, are once again moving from their preferred plant hosts in search of protected sites where they will spend the winter.  Once on the move, the adult bugs are attracted to light-colored surfaces, landing on people, vehicles, and buildings.  They are a nuisance pest for those living in our urban and suburban areas.  And, this mass migration results in complaints and inquiries to pest control operators, Cooperative Extension offices, and the media.

Approaching cooler temperatures coupled with the onset of winter dormancy of kudzu and the harvest of soybeans, the bugs preferred hosts are probable cause of the mass migration. This  same phenomenon was seen in the late fall of 2009, 2010, and 2011 when the bugs moved from their host plants in search of sites where they will spend the winter, in a mostly inactive state.  In the spring, these adults emerge, lay eggs on sprouting kudzu, and begin building large populations of the insect that may also infest soybeans and a plethora of other leguminous plants (including beans and other legumes in home gardens) found in the Georgia landscape.  We might expect another nuisance peak in early spring 2013 as we experienced in spring 2012.
 
Unfortunately, there have not been any significant developments in controlling this nuisance pest in our suburban and urban environments.  Research on its control in these settings, however, will continue.  Until then, there are a few tips that homeowners might consider:

• Seal, with caulk or screen, all cracks around windows and doors, and make sure there are no gaps under doors and around soffits.  Install door-sweeps on all outside doors, if necessary.
• Kudzu bugs should not be killed inside. They should be vacuumed if found inside to prevent the noxious odor/exudate from penetrating and, perhaps, staining indoor surfaces.
• In mid-October to mid-November, kudzu bugs are most active in the afternoon as temperatures warm up later in the day. As such, plan outdoor activities in the morning, if possible, or move activities indoors.
• Kudzu bugs can be executed with pyrethroid insecticides (such as Ortho Bug Be Gone Max) applied directly to the bug resting on outside walls. However, given the peak of flight activity currently occurring, you should expect significant re-invasion within a day or so. If you choose to use an insecticide, you must read and follow the product's label (it's the law), and never use a pyrethroid insecticide in an area where it might contaminate water as these insecticides are very toxic to fish and other aquatic life. Also be careful, insecticides could possibly discolor or damage the siding on your home.  Alternatively, you may wish to contact a local pest management company and have them inspect and evaluate the situation.
• No traps have been commercialized (and shown to be effective) in attracting and killing large numbers of kudzu bugs. Scientifically valid chemical attractants have not yet been identified.
• The flight will subside, based on our experience, in late November, but the bugs will once again become active and mildly troublesome in the spring of 2013 as they awake from their winter nap. For additional information might refer the following web site: www.kudzubug.org.

The above alert was written by: Daniel R. Suiter and Wayne A. Gardner: Department of Entomology University of Georgia Griffin Campus.

For local assistance, please contact Keith Mickler, the County Coordinator and agriculture agent for The University of Georgia/Floyd County Cooperative Extension. Located at 12 East 4^th Ave, Rome, GA 30161 (706) 295-6210. Office hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

 

The University of Georgia Cooperative Extension - Learning for Life. Agriculture and Natural Resources, Family and Consumer Sciences, 4-H Youth.  An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. To obtain extension publications please visit our web site www.extension.uga.edu or contact your county Cooperative Extension office.