Pennsylvania man develops simple, safe solution for stink bugs

They’re everywhere. They buzz around your head, crash into walls and lights, drop to the floor - and are up again, seemingly unfazed, to continue their rampage. Not only are these brown marmorated stink bugs a nuisance, they are also a menace, destroying crops across the Mid-Atlantic region. But thanks to a building contractor from Chester Springs, Pa., who developed The Stink Bug Inc. kit, people can end this plague to everyone’s satisfaction, except, of course, the bugs'.

Tested by Rutgers University and written up in the Wall Street Journal, Stink Bug Inc. is finally capturing these stowaways from Asia. First documented as aliens 15 years ago, the bugs seem to have invaded the region in the last two years or so. They have found their way into every nook and cranny of residents' lives from Pennsylvania, New York and Connecticut to Maryland, Delaware and West Virginia. They feast on crops in the spring and look for warmth and comfort in the winter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture claims they were responsible for $37 million of damage to apple crops alone in 2010. Expensive exterminators spray toxic chemicals, causing concern for families and pets, and the treatments are barely effective.

Brian McCausland, who specializes in commercial contracting, has come up with a simple solution called Stink Bug Inc. It’s safe and easy to use, and will capture most indoor stink bugs. “I invented the solution out of necessity and frustration,” says McCausland. “My children would scream in the middle of the night when these bugs landed on their faces while they were sleeping. My windows were literally crawling with them. If we tried to catch them, the odor left behind was disgusting. I studied them day and night, and researched their background and behavior. I was determined to keep my product safe for my family and the environment.”

The stink bugs are attracted to the light and the nontoxic, pheromone-free proprietary solution. They land in the bowl and die within seconds. McCausland partnered with Donna McCafferty & Co., an advertising and design firm known for image and branding, to help produce and market the solution. Together they formed Stink Bug Inc. The kit is produced in Bucks County, Pa.

Stink Bug Inc. retails for $10 and can be ordered online at StinkBugInc.com. Contact Donna McCafferty with questions or to schedule an interview. The Stink Bug Inc. website also includes a free tutorial.