Exclusion Methods

Seal, Caulk and Screen - Use good quality silicone or silicone latex caulk to seal cracks and small holes throughout the house, especially around windows and doors. Install screens (20-mesh max.) over all vents and replace or repair damaged door and window screens. Leave screens on windows instead of storing them. Install tight fitting door sweeps and a rubber seal around garage door.

Exterior Pesticide Application - Beginning no more than two weeks before the MALB usually arrive, have sections of the outside of the house sprayed with one of the suggested pyrethroid pesticides. Concentrated on areas around windows, under eaves, along roofline and around foundation. Applications are effective for at least 21 days, less if it rains frequently. The MALB usually begins to swarm on the first warm day after the temperature has dropped to near or below freezing.

Camphor - Put camphor cakes or crystallized camphor in knee-hi nylon stocking. Knot stocking and hang it on the outside of the house near know entry point: or put cotton balls containing a few drops of camphor essential oil in the corner of the windows. Re-apply the oil often. Camphor cakes can be found on the web at http://www.kilianhardware.com. Camphor crystals can be obtained from Stony Mountain Botanicals, 155 N. Water St., Loundenville, OH, 888-994-4857, http://www.wildroots.com.

Trapping Methods

Commercial Black Light Trap - This trap was very effective, catching 90% of the beetles in our tests. Operate the trap in a dark room or at night. Place in room most infested. Leave light on all night. Empty the collection container often. IMPORTANT: Put cornstarch, talc or baby powder on the "wings" of the trap so that the beetles fall easily into collection container. The trap is free standing and can sit on a table or floor. It comes in two different models, the BL model has a brighter black light and is the most effective at caughting the beetles and the BLB model has a slightly dimmer black light for homeowner than need to put the trap in bedroom where they are sleeping. The traps can be purchased from: Southeastern Insectaries, 606 Ball St., Perry, GA 31069, (912) 988-9412 for $140.00 for the BL model (brighter Light) or BLB model for 142.00 (better for sleeping) plus shipping.

Home-made Light Trap - This trap is made from items found in the home or at the local hardware, a clamp light, a 60W incandescent bulb, twist ties, transparencies or plastic report covers, two gallon plastic milk containers with caps and black paint. See attached diagram for assembly instructions. Use like the commercial version and remember to use cornstarch, talc or baby powder on the wings and down into the collection container.

Vacuuming - An effective method to remove live beetles from inside the house. To avoid damaging the vacuum, use the method detailed in the OSU Factsheet http://ohioline.osu.edu/hse-fact/1030.html. By using a sweeper attachment with a knee-high nylon hose inserted in the end you can avoid the beetles entering the vacuum. This method will work with vacuum cleaners, shop vacs, and reverse cycle leaf or snow blowers.

| Back |