There have been a lot of media reports recently about the invasion of Asian 
 brown stink bugs.  During last weeks warm days, there were literally  
hundreds hanging on the side of my home.  I killed over 100 in ten minutes  with 
a fly swatter one day, just on the back deck. 
 
Today there has been a pileated woodpecker working the side of my  home.  
While they are sometimes present, this one would simply not stay  away.  I 
chased him off at least five times and he just came back.   The thwacks did 
not sound like he was pursuing carpenter ants as usual (I had  them 
exterminated months ago anyway), but rather a single or a double  thump.
 
Is it possible that a predator for the pesky stink bugs has been  
identified?
 
Bob Mumford
Darnestown