Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com
Dear Gracie,
I'm doing my first TV appearance as an expert on a news show, and I'm a bit nervous. Any tips, advice?
Panicked Presenter
******
Dear Panicked Presenter,
Here is the advice from six communication experts found within the ProfNet Connect community:
Preparation
"Practice, practice, practice, and then practice again," says Rachel Weingarten, personal brand and style expert, and author of "Career and Corporate Cool" and "Hello Gorgeous! Beauty Products in America, '40s-'60s."
Try practicing out loud, in advance, says Karen Friedman, a former TV news reporter who now heads Karen Friedman Enterprises, which teaches people how to become powerful communicators. "Saying your words out loud will help you internalize your message and practice delivery. It will also help you recall key words and thoughts when you're actually on."
"Make up a list of your best stories, anecdotes and selling points ahead of time," continues Weingarten. "Don't try to offer up a completed list to your interviewer, but rather be comfortable enough with the details so that you don't fumble on the presentation."
Also, do your homework, says Weingarten. Study up on the show you'll be appearing on. Consider questions like: What colors are the set? Will the video shooting occur indoors or outdoors? How much time will be given to speak? How close or far is the camera? Considering questions like these will give you a better idea of how you'll look on film, says Weingarten.
Appearance
It's important to wear the right clothing, says Robb Leer, founder and president of Leer Communications, a media and communication consulting company. "Wear something comfortable and well-fitting, and dress conservative -- not crazy."
"The most important thing is to hold onto your own personal style," says Weingarten. If you dress for the hosts or the camera exclusively, you will likely be uncomfortable the entire time and end up so focused on your clothes that you will lose track of what's being asked of you, she says.
Keep it simple and professional looking, echoes Susan Tellem, partner in Tellem Worldwide; a public relations, social media and marketing communications firm. "Don't wear white or black, more than one pattern, small checks, large print, herringbone, stripes polka dots or loud colors. Instead, wear safe colors like dark blues, grays, earth tones or pastels, or wear colors that look good on you and blend well with the set."
"Dark colors absorb light, so they tend to look better on camera," explains fashion designer and personal stylist Kesi Case.
Tellem also recommends avoiding low-cut dresses or shirts, too much jewelry and seasonal clothing. She also advises that if you normally wear glasses, you should wear them for the interview. And bring an extra shirt or blouse, she adds, in case of spills or sweat.
"If you wear makeup, wear more than usual and have the makeup department at the studio do a touchup. Even if you don't normally wear makeup, visit the makeup department anyway, as you will always look better on TV with it on," Tellem says. "And men should get their bald heads or sweaty foreheads powdered," she adds.
Also, do a complete run-through of your entire look, from head to toe, ahead of time, says Weingarten. "Make sure your hair doesn't look like a helmet, your makeup doesn't run, and your clothing fits you well and comfortably."
Posture
"Keep an open body posture," says Robin H-C, behavior specialist and life coach, and author of "Thinking Your Way to Happy!" "There is a natural propensity to cross the arms and legs and protect the torso when nervous or under stress."
If your movements are open, then you'll appear approachable, says Friedman. "Using hand movements and gestures when you speak makes you more animated and interested to look at," she says. "But on TV, keep your hands out of the box -- meaning, keep them away from your shoulders up."
If you're sitting, then sit up straight, advises Leer. Don't slump at the shoulders, leaning slightly forward. "Sit on the front edge of a straight-back chair, not a chair that swivels," he instructs.
"Body language conveys you're in control of the conversation, so relax," adds Leer. "Or at least try."
Eye Contact
If there is no interviewer: "Keep steady eye contact, as if the person you are speaking to is standing right in front of you," says Friedman. "Think of the camera or your audience as one person and speak to that one person, not to the masses," she continues. "If there is a loud noise and you glance off to the side, people at home in front of their TV sets don't know something happened in the studio. All they see is someone who looks distracted or unfocused."
If there is an interviewer: "You're never wrong to look at the interviewer and not the camera," says Leer.
Delivery
"Pretend that the person in the back of the room or on the other side of the camera can't hear you very well," says Friedman. A microphone doesn't substitute energy, she says. "When you speak just a tad louder, you will sound more engaging."
But keep your tone and delivery conversational, says Leer. Use clarity and sincerity to convey conviction, he says. Don't get louder and louder.
Mentality
"The camera picks up your nerves, so the more confident you are, the better you will come across," says Case.
"Get out of your head!" says H-C. "Focus on the conversation with the host and do your best to silence the internal voice that is evaluating your appearance. Saying, 'I hope I don't mess this up' is setting your brain up to do exactly that. Try an affirmation: 'I am relaxed, informative and articulate during all media interviews,'" says H-C.
Also, remember to breathe, H-C continues. "When you're nervous and adrenaline kicks in, it can shut down the frontal lobe of the brain, our problem-solving area. Trust me -- you do not want to be interviewed without access to the frontal lobe."
Extra Tips:
"The camera is always on, so don't pick your teeth or comb your hair. Those images could later haunt you," says Leer.
If all else fails, says Weingarten, self-deprecation works. "People don't expect you to be as polished as the cast or crew of the show, so if you feel as though the interview or appearance has gotten away from you, stop stammering and feel free to make a joke about the fact that you're not Angelina Jolie, but need a minute or two to collect your thoughts."
"Though you want to look great and sound brilliant, at the end of the day, you are on TV to share a message," continues Weingarten. "Remind yourself of this prior to all interviews. It's not about you, rather, you are the medium for an important message."
And most importantly, have fun! "Don't take it too seriously and congratulate yourself for being brave. Many people would not even consider doing a live appearance," says H-C.
Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com
Dear Gracie,
I use my smartphone for everything, and I'm worried that I'm leaving myself vulnerable to hackers and viruses. What can I do to keep my smartphone safe? Is it the same as keeping a desktop safe?
Vulnerable to Viruses
************
Dear Vulnerable to Viruses,
Here are tips from five IT experts found within the ProfNet Connect community:
As smartphone capabilities are increasing exponentially, hackers are targeting these devices due to their less rigorous security features, says Mike Meikle, CEO of the Hawthorne Group, a boutique management and technology consulting firm.
"A couple of years ago, the worst thing that happened if your phone was lost or stolen was an inflated bill. Today, your phone contains a whole host of information, and you don’t have to lose the device to lose control of it. A careless click or two is all it takes," says David Meltzer, vice president of engineering for nCircle, a network security and compliance auditing firm. That's why you should take the time to become familiar with the security features of your phone and get into the habit of using them, he says.
Setting up Securely
1. Backup: Backup the data on your smartphone on a regular basis, says Derek Meister, a Geek Squad agent for Best Buy. "Determine how and when you'll sync your phone, and stick to your plan," he says.
2. Set up a Passcode: "Make sure it's easy to remember, but hard to guess," Meister says. "Most importantly, make sure that your phone is set to lock automatically in a reasonable time, so that if you do lose it, it will lock before someone else can find it and start using it."
A password also makes it more difficult for spyware to be remotely or directly installed onto your phone, says Robert Siciliano, McAfee consultant and identity-theft expert. The threat to your digital content doesn't require you to lose your device, continues Chris Hopen, CEO of HomePipe, a company specializing in digital content access and file sharing for the mobile community. "Recent news about malware apps on Android and the growing availability of remote data extraction devices underscores the need to protect your digital content, no matter where, or on what device, you access it," he says.
Furthermore, set up a password for accessing email and other personal data, says Randy Gross, CIO of CompTIA, the Computing Technology Industry Association, a nonprofit IT business trade group. There are also a range of applications for protecting confidential data, like credit card numbers or login credentials. One example is mSecure, which has a robust self-destruct feature should someone try to hack into data on the phone, Gross adds.
Also, wipe off your touch screen once in a while, says Meikle. Hackers are now using "Smudge Attacks" to access locked phones by guessing users' passwords based on the smudge prints left on the screen.
3. Enable Wipe Features: As long as you're backing up your data, says Meister, don't fear the auto-wipe settings on your phone. Most phones have this feature, which automatically deletes your data if too many incorrect passwords have been entered. Consider remote-wipe features for your phone too, he adds.
"If your phone is behaving oddly or you have some other reason to suspect that it contains spyware, reinstall the operating system, says Siciliano. "Consult your user manual or call your carrier’s customer service for step-by-step help with this process," he says.
Using Securely
1. Take Care With Public WiFi: "Although free WiFi hotspots may be faster than your mobile connection, avoid visiting sites that use sensitive data, like banking or shopping sites, while you're connected. Someone with malicious intent could be on the same network, says Meister.
2. Investigate Your Apps: "If you don't know the reputation of the app developer, take time to investigate it before you give in to an impulsive purchase," says Meltzer. "Read through privacy or data warnings when installing or running an app, and check out reviews before installing," says Meister. Both Android and iPhone App stores are vulnerable to hackers uploading malicious applications, adds Meikle.
"Also, look for apps with an automatic sign-out feature, says Hopen. "Apps that keep you signed in even upon exit are storing your passwords, and leaving access to your digital content open," he says. "Apps with an automatic log-out feature ensure that your content is protected, no matter where, or in whose hands, your phone resides," he continues.
3. Avoid Modding or Jailbreaking: Altering your smartphone's stock operating system might let you enable or add different features, but it's easier to keep up with automatic security and feature updates without the system modifications, Meister advises.
4. Stream, Rather Download and Sync: "Choose a service that allows you to stream, rather than download and sync, content to your device," says Hopen. This is especially important for documents and files containing confidential or proprietary information. Because streamed content never actually resides on your device, it is protected from data extraction or theft resulting from a lost device, and remains safe within the fortress of your remote storage, he says.
5. Think Like a Desktop: Apply your years of desktop experience to smartphone security, says Meister. "Be wary of unknown email attachments and links to suspicious websites," he says. Be alert for phishing scam emails, which work the same way on your smartphone as they do on your desktop, he adds.
"Use the same caution clicking on URLs, especially shortened URLs, that you use on your laptop or desktop," Melzter continues.
6. Consider Physical Threats: "Losing a mobile device today isn't just a pricey hassle, it leaves user's data laid bare, and users themselves open to liability and identity theft," says Hopen. "Mobile devices that are lost or stolen are more of a problem right now than viruses and hacking," Gross confirms.
"Keep your phone with you," says Siciliano. "Don't let it out of your sight and don't share it." You can access your data online from anywhere, or locate your missing phone and plot the location on a map, he adds. "If it's lost or stolen, SIM cards and phone calls can help get it back for you." Also, notify your wireless service provider immediately, says Gross.
Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com
Dear Gracie,
Should we place commas and periods inside or outside of quotation marks? I know the "correct" way (according to proofreaders, editors and communications professionals) is to always place them inside of quotation marks, but I've started seeing them appear with more frequency outside of quotation marks, in the same context as question marks or exclamation points. Wouldn't it be more logical to do just have one rule for all punctuation in this context? Is the rule changing because of social media, phones and computers? Do grammar rules really matter?
Curious Communicator
************
Dear Curious Communicator:
Here are the opinions of four grammar experts found within the ProfNet Connect community:
Punctuation confusion probably arises from global communication, says Bonnie Egan, longtime editor, ghostwriter and collaborator on fiction and nonfiction books; past writing teacher at New York City's Comptroller's Office; and writer of "Cooking for One," a weekly online column. In both British and American grammar, question marks and exclamation points appear inside or outside of quotation marks depending on the context. For example:
Have you read "Pride and Prejudice"? (interrogative, outside of quotation mark)
My mom said, "Have you read that book?" (declarative, inside of quotation mark)
While British grammar applies this same rule of context to periods and commas (sometimes inside of quotation marks, sometimes outside), American grammar always puts periods and commas inside of quotation marks. For example:
British style: I read "Pride and Prejudice".
American style: I read "Pride and Prejudice."
"As an American," says Egan, "periods and commas inside of quotation marks is what looks right to me, but to the many writers all over the world who learned grammar the British way, outside of the quotation marks looks 'correct.'"
So if grammar rules can differ by region, does that mean they are arbitrary? "Yes, it's all arbitrary and customary," says Linda Henman, author of "Landing in the Executive Chair" and two other books, and past English teacher from grade 3 to graduate school. "Why does 'couch' mean the same thing as 'sofa'?" she asks. "Language is an arbitrary mixture of symbols that help us communicate and keep track of things. We no longer use words like 'divan' or 'settee' for this type of furniture," she says. "So language changes."
Carol Meerschaert, director of marketing and communications at Healthcare Businesswoman's Association, concurs: "The ultimate purpose of grammar is communication well-received, so expect change as society changes. As long as putting the punctuation inside or outside of the quotation marks offers clear meaning, tradition may go the wayside."
However, Henman points out that while specific language symbols like words or punctuation marks are trivial details of communication, obeying grammar rules is not useless because every word and non-word symbol that we choose to use says something about our credibility. "If I choose to follow conventional rules of grammar, it says two things about me," she says, "One, that I know the rules, and two, that I choose to follow them."
Grammar also helps us make our thoughts clear, continues Henman. "The placement of the question mark lets the reader know which part of the sentence we intend as a question. Just as we have agreed on spelling for our symbols, we have agreed on the traffic signals in the sentence."
Joan Bosisio, group vice president at Stern + Associates, a PR, marketing and digital communications agency, who held an agency-wide grammar boot camp; provides us with an example of punctuation's necessity to communicating clearly:
Let's eat, Grandma!
Let's eat Grandma!
"Surely grammar is important to Grandma," Bosisio jokes. But her point is clear: "It isn't just about following the rules," she says. "Grammar forms the context and ensures we accurately indicate intent, not to mention demonstrate polish and education. Grammar is the logic of speech, and to use correct, established, accepted grammar is to communicate in the way that's most likely to be understood."
However, while Bosisio believes in following the basic rules of grammar, she also believes that what we communicate should sound or look good. For example, it's well-known that sentences shouldn't end with a preposition, but Bosisio gives us an example where this isn't true:
Dismissing grammar is nonsense I won’t put up with. (against the rule, but understandable)
Dismissing grammar is nonsense up with which I will not put. (follows the rule, but sounds bad and the meaning is not clear)
This is why author Joan Didion said, "Grammar is a piano I play by ear," says Bosisio.
Bosisio believes our grammar has been affected by computer, phone and social media usage, mainly due to the proliferation of text messaging and social media, along with the speed of these communication methods. She also believes that the lack of focus on grammar in school curriculums has negatively impacted grammar in the U.S.
On the other hand, Henman doesn't see social media as the root of the problem: "It's the lack of other writing," she says, but still agreeing with Bosisio that students don't learn about grammar rules. "Most students do no other writing other than emails and text messaging. Therefore, they receive no feedback about correct and incorrect usage," she continues. "The shortcuts of the social media, in and of themselves, don't cause the problem -- we are all flexible enough to use shorthand some of the time. The trouble is that these kids have no repertoire for other situations."
So basically, grammar is important if you want to sound credible and communicate clearly, but if you're just texting with your friends, the consequences of misplacing a punctuation mark will probably not be severe (although they might be for Grandma).
Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com
Dear Gracie,
I have recently heard a lot about farm-to-table products. There is a meeting at my church about a local CSA. What exactly is a CSA and how do they work? What is the risk? What is the reward?
Sincerely,
Sick of the Supermarket
*******
Dear Sick of the Supermarket,
Here is an overview of CSAs from experts found within the ProfNet Connect community:
A CSA is "anything that connects the consumer directly to the farmer," says Melvin Atkinson, rural community coordinator of Virginia Beach Agriculture Department, president of his local Buy Fresh Buy Local chapter, and owner of a five-acre CSA farm called Briar Rose.
Typically, a CSA is an alternative food network that consists of a community of subscribers who support farms by pledging monetary support and sharing risk. CSAs have become a primary means of supporting local agriculture, and have become more popular as corporations grow and food-distribution channels change. "It's not necessarily for people who want cheap food," says Atkinson. "It's for the quality."
The typical model of a CSA is a consumer buying a subscription on an annual basis, says Eric Benfeldt, extension specialist for community viability at Virginia Tech. "It's wonderful for the farmer because it increases the cash flow (by taking enrollment in the wintertime) and allows planning for seeds," says Atkinson. The benefit for the consumer is generally a weekly allotment of some combination of fresh produce, meat, eggs or dairy, and a general season is about 20 to 25 weeks. "Many farmers are doing more to try and extend the season with things like greenhouses," he adds. So a subscription could be longer.
Some CSAs only include one farm, but many include several farms that coordinate the logistics of delivering food and providing a variety of products, says Benfeldt. Because farming is so dependent on the weather, there could be changes to the food orders, he adds.
CSAs are not always a direct exchange for products and money, says Atkinson. Sometimes farmers create a coupon program, where members can buy coupons during enrollment, and then when the season begins, they can pick and choose the products they want, or get different quantities. This gives the consumer more control, Atkinson adds.
Memberships dictate the size of a CSA. Some CSAs ask members to provide a couple of hours of labor per week or month to help the farm by reducing the workload, Benfeldt says. Members can also contribute by connecting the CSA to new farmer's markets or restaurants, or managing Internet sales, he continues. Online CSAs typically allow members to order their products online and then pick it up at drop-off points.
CSAs provide farm shares to a variety of people and organizations, including individuals, church or community organizations (generally to support low-income populations), business companies (sometimes via their HR benefit programs), hospitals and restaurants, says Benfeldt.
For example, Rick Martinez founded the Sweetwater Organic Community Farm in 1995 as a nonprofit, CSA-supported urban organic farm and educational center located in Tampa, Fla. He's now developing a second 7-acre farm near The Children's Home, a safe haven for abused children in Tampa. The home is providing the site for Sweetwater in exchange for a share of food (to be provided to the children), as well as teaching the children about organic farming.
"The children will get to participate by planting seeds, which they'll be able to put in a little container and take home to care for it," says Martinez. "They'll also have a chance to come out and plant some things from the greenhouse."
Sweetwater opens up membership during the summer months when a "cover crop" is planted to protect the soil, but nothing is grown. Each member collects a share every week (or every other week, depending on the type of membership they buy), and is obligated to spend at least four hours per season helping with the farm itself, says Martinez. The farm is funded entirely by donations and is being developed completely by volunteer work, he adds.
Organizations can also contribute by serving as a drop-off location, where subscribers can pick up their food orders. For instance, Gia LaRussa, marketing director at G2 Gallery, a photography exhibit with natural themes that donates proceeds to environmental causes, just started a drop-off point at the G2 Gallery. The gallery partnered with CSA California, a network that supports seven organic farms in the Los Angeles area.
LaRussa began the process of making G2 Gallery a drop-off point by contacting the CSA California coordinator. The coordinator came for a site visit and determined where the actual drop-off point would be in the building (in the garage). The biggest difficulty was settling on a date and time for weekly pickup, says LaRussa, because the coordinator wanted to do it based on their route, while she needed to consider other gallery events and building requirements. They worked it out in the end, and the first drop-off launched on June 14, and included items like strawberries, swiss chard, garlic, romaine and many other products. The G2 Gallery donates $2 to a charitable cause for every box sold, and LaRussa says it takes her about 10 minutes once a week to set up the operation and close it down.
As a green marketing specialist and primary author of "Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green: Winning Strategies to Improve Your Profits and Your Planet," Shel Horowitz sees CSAs accomplishing many benefits for farmers and the community, including increasing awareness about the benefits of supporting local farms (like land preservation or farm tourism), educating the public on the benefits of consuming local and sustainable food, building community, reaching out to service agencies that help those in need, providing new markets to compatible businesses, and connecting farms and agricultural organizations together to create larger markets.
Horowitz has also been a member of his local CSA since the mid-'90s, and can share the benefits firsthand: "My family and I eat salad almost every day, starting in June and going through October, and we cook a lot of veggies as well -- but we only pay a fraction of what it would cost to buy this food week by week."
I live in Maryland and the stink bugs in my house are driving me insane. Why did stink bugs just suddenly start appearing? Is this a nationwide problem? Should I hire an exterminator? Are there any health dangers?
Sincerely,
Ooh That Smell
*******
Dear Ooh That Smell,
Here is a breakdown of history and background info, impacts on homeowners and solutions from experts within the ProfNet community:
Background
The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive species in the U.S., and in recent years has become an urban nuisance and serious agricultural threat.
"Marmorated" means "veined or streaked-like marble," according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, which is a reference to the stink bug's unique exterior. It's native to Eastern Asia, and was accidentally introduced into Pennsylvania in the late 1990s, says Missy Henriksen, who educates the public on the health and safety of pests as the vice president of public affairs for the National Pest Management Association. As of February 2010, 33 states have reported the presence of stink bugs, says Henriksen. The introduction was probably caused by shipping, and most likely spread across the country by driving or moving plants, adds Matt Daugherty, an entomologist at University of California Riverside who studies applied population ecology and provides outreach on the management of invasive insects.
There are more than 250 species of stink bugs worldwide, and more than 20 in U.S., according to StinkBugsControlSecrets.com. "They're not all bad," says Daugherty. Many stink bugs in the U.S. are native, and they don't all cause plant damage. The brown marmorated is the problematic one, since they invade homes and damage crops, he explains.
Although birds and lizards might feed on native stink bugs, the brown marmorated has no natural predators in the U.S. This problem can be explained by the "natural enemy release hypothesis," says Daugherty, the theory that an invasive species spreads rapidly when they are free of the natural enemies that evolved with them. This is why the USDA is considering bringing in a natural predator of the brown marmorated, a tiny parasitic wasp from Asia, which will attack the egg stage of the brown marmorated, says Henriksen. However, significant testing is necessary before the wasps can be introduced, to anticipate any side effects and prevent further harm to the environment.
Stink bugs prefer to live outdoors on the leaves of trees. They reproduce in the fall, laying their eggs on the underside of leaves, and then look for an indoor environment (like your house) to overwinter, which occurs when stink bugs wait out the winter season, during which their body functions slow, says Henriksen.
Picture from StopStinkBugs.com
Stink bugs live and overwinter near their food supply, so they might live near the edge of a farm or around forested areas, says Daugherty. While they can damage plant foliage, they mostly feed on fruit, like apples, peaches, berries and tomatoes. The impact on crops can be devastating. They damage and stain fruit when they eat it because they inject digestive enzymes into it, creating "necrotic spots" by causing the fruit tissue to die, says Daugherty. Brown marmorated stink bugs are particularly threatening to agriculture compared to native stink bugs due to their large population, and because they're faster-moving, he adds.
Stink bugs are attracted to light and heat, like sunlight, rather than body heat, says Henriksen. And the weird clicking noise you hear when they're around is due to the sound their wings make when they fly, she adds.
Humans v. Stink Bugs
To homeowners, stink bugs are a nuisance, but not dangerous. There are no studies that show stink bugs can transmit diseases, so they don't pose a threat to humans or pets, says Daugherty. Stink bugs can bite to defend themselves, but do so rarely (since they usually smell enough to keep most predators at bay), says Henriksen. The bite is painful, but not as bad as a bee or wasp sting.
"The best prevention is exclusion," says Henriksen. To minimize the chance of stink bugs entering your home, keep doors and windows closed (or use screens) and caulk all openings. Once the bugs are inside, she continues, pick them up with a tissue and throw or flush them away -- but don't squash them! Squashing them releases the smell, and attracts more stink bugs, she explains. You can also vacuum them up, but make sure you empty the vacuum bag afterwards, she advises. If the infestation is serious, talk to a pest professional who offers treatments against stink bugs to both prevent and contain. Prevention treatments would need to be applied in the late summer to early fall, before the breeding season, she adds.
You shouldn't squash stink bugs when you kill them because doing so releases their pheromones, which smell bad and, more importantly, attract other stink bugs. Pheromones are chemicals released by insects to trigger a behavioral response in members of the same species, according to Merriam-Webster. Stink bug pheromones are produced by glands on different parts of their bodies, says Daugherty, which make them smell. Stink bugs use pheromones to defend themselves against predators, warn other stink bugs or attract mates, he continues.
Now you might be wondering: Why would a dead stink bug attract other stink bugs? It doesn't make evolutionary sense! They should retreat when they see the corpses of their comrades!
Because when you crush them, all of their pheromones are released simultaneously, says Daugherty. So the stink bugs are confused: Does the dead stink bug want to mate? Is it trying to communicate danger? Does it need backup? The others can't be sure, and you know the saying -- curiosity killed the stink bug.
Exterminator 2: Judgment Day
If you need to break out the big guns, consider a few of these solutions:
Garlic
Andrew Peric, a junior at Haddonfield Memorial High School in Haddonfield, N.J., was the leader of a stink bug project for his AP biology class this year, and discovered a unique and green solution for getting rid of the pests: Allicin, a compound in garlic.
Peric's teacher, Gene Kornak, asked each of his three AP biology classes to create a fictional company and come up with a product that would prevent or stop stink bug infestations. Peric and his group named their "business" The Franklin Initiative and wanted to market an idea that was simple, efficient and nature-friendly.
His team researched ideas and discovered that plugging up a house won't effectively prevent stink bugs from entering. And because dead stink bugs attract other stink bugs, they wanted to find a solution without killing them. Pesticides were not considered, due to harmful environmental side effects.
The environmental approach they decided on was based on case studies by World Intellectual Property Organization that showed Allicin might be effective at deterring stink bugs. Allicin is naturally found in garlic, so although Peric and his team decided to "market" a fertilizer infused with Allicin, they also discovered that simply placing garlic around your house or deck prevents stink bugs. But don't crush the garlic, says Peric, because that causes the Allicin compound to decompose.
The other biology classes considered ideas like infecting stink bugs with a fungus to kill them, or putting up physical barriers or using sprays to prevent them from entering, but a panelist of teachers and past students decided that Peric and his team had come up with the most effective and green solution.
The "Best Stink Bug Trap Ever"
This video shows how to make a homemade stink bug trap using some tape, a book light and a 2-liter soda bottle. The trap plays off of the bug's attraction to heat and light.
We know that stink bugs are attracted to certain pheromones, and some sources also show that stink bugs might be attracted to the color yellow, so traps could also play into these factors.
Insecticides
According to an E-How article, spraying topical stomach poisons on plants won't kill stink bugs because they feed on internal plant juices, so use a contact insecticide. You could also use nicotine as a green alternative, or insecticidal soaps.
If you know of other solutions, let me know and I'll add it to this list!
