Customer LoginIf you have a stink bug problem in your home, it’s important to understand the basics of identifying them and getting rid of them. In this article, we’ll cover the appearance of stink bugs, how to diagnose an infestation, what stink bugs smell like, and why you should be concerned about them. We’ll also take a look at a personal account of a homeowner’s experience with stink bugs and the horror they can bring. Read on to find out everything you need to know about stinks bug in your home.
What Do Stink Bugs Look Like?
Stink bugs have a distinct appearance, especially the brown marmorated stink bug. They have a shield-shaped body that is gray-brown in color with black and white bands on their legs, antennae, and the edges of their abdomen. This species also has a triangular shape on their backs when their wings are folded. They are about 5/8 inches long and go through several stages of development before reaching adulthood.
Do Stink Bugs Really Stink?
Stink bugs release a pungent smell when they feel threatened or disturbed. This odor is produced by a gland on their abdomen and can be sprayed up to several inches away from their body. The odor has been compared to the scent of cilantro and coriander, and it can linger for hours. If you come across stink bugs, it’s best to avoid handling them as much as possible.
Should I Be Worried About Stink Bugs in My Home?
Stink bugs can invade homes and other buildings, and they can trigger allergies in some people. Although they don’t cause harm to humans directly, the psychological toll of an overnight swarm is its own cause for harm. Stink bugs are a major pest of agricultural crops, causing millions of dollars in damage each year. They are also known to feed on ornamental plants, such as flowers and shrubs, which can damage the aesthetics of your landscaping. As an invasive species, they also have the potential to disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native insects for resources. So, all in all, it’s best to take a stink bug infestation seriously if you care about a clean living space and greenery in your yard, as well as the eco-diversity of your neighborhood.
“When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home” by The New Yorker
The New Yorker published an article about a homeowner’s experience with stink bugs, where Pam Stone had a horrifying encounter with hundreds of stinkbugs in her bedroom one night, prompting her and her partner to treat the situation like a hazmat incident. As Stone described it…
“Their bedroom walls were crawling with insects—not dozens of them but hundreds upon hundreds. It was like a horror movie. […] The stinkbugs, attracted to warmth, kept thwacking into their bodies as they worked. […] Literally, the instant it was dark, we’d hear four or five more come out and we would turn the lights back on because they were hitting the wall above our heads and dropping onto us, which was even more horrifying.”
Stone’s experience is not uncommon, as homeowners across the country face the annual invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs during the fall, winter, and spring. These pests sneak into houses by the thousands, seeking refuge from the cold.
Stink Bug Infestation Diagnosis
Diagnosing a stink bug infestation can be difficult, as the signs vary depending on the location. Homeowners can detect an infestation if there is an influx of live or dead stink bugs in spring and fall. Stink bugs are often found on sunny sides of homes, where they can warm themselves in the sun. Growers may detect an infestation by the damage to their crops. If an infestation has taken hold inside the home or building, it’s important to seek the help of a licensed stink bug control professional.
How Can I Prevent a Stink Bug Infestation?
To prevent stink bugs from entering your home or building, sealing all the little cracks and installing screens on vents are the best measures. Stink bugs may try to return to your home to hibernate, so mechanical barriers will prevent them from accessing the inside. Keeping wood and stick piles away from your home, trimming bushes and thinning plantings to allow more light into the landscaping, and encouraging beneficial insects like braconid wasps and assassin bugs, as well as birds, can also help deter stink bugs from gathering outdoors.
Typical entry points for stink bugs include around door and window frames, electrical outlets, light switches, ceiling fans, skylights, and ceiling light fixtures. Use a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk to seal these areas. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced, and exterior lighting should be changed to less-attractive yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights, as stink bugs are attracted to light.
If stink bugs have already entered a home or building, using a vacuum cleaner can aid in the removal of live or dead stink bugs. The bag must be discarded to prevent odor from permeating the area. It is best to isolate the affected room or rooms by sealing the bugs out. If an infestation has developed inside the home or building, it is best to call a licensed pest control professional to evaluate and assess the problem. A professional can also pre-treat for stink bugs in the late summer or fall just prior to bug congregation.
Get Pest Free with A1 Stink Bug Control
Stink bugs can quickly become a major problem if left untreated, and the longer you wait to address the issue, the more difficult it can be to completely eliminate them from your home. At A1 Exterminators, we understand the importance of taking action quickly when it comes to stink bug infestations.
Our team of pest control experts has extensive experience in dealing with stink bug infestations, and we have a range of effective treatment options available to completely remove them from your home. We specialize in providing safe and effective solutions that are customized to your specific needs, so you can feel confident that we will provide the best solution for your stink bug problem.
In addition to our treatment options, we also offer prevention plans to help keep stink bugs from returning to your home in the future. Our mechanical barriers and sealing techniques are designed to keep stink bugs out and prevent them from entering your home in the first place. We’ll work with you to create a customized plan that fits your specific needs and budget.
Don’t let stink bugs take over your home.