A Smelly Siege: Stink Bug Infestations

Stink Bugs 101

These bugs have a hard, outer shell shaped like a long trapezoid that acts as an armor for their protection, earning them the nickname ‘shield bugs.’ However, due to their infamous odor, these pests are far more often referred to by the name stink bugs. Known scientifically as the Halyomorpha halys, these bugs belong to the family Pentatomidae and come in many different subspecies within that family; the most common of which is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB).

BMSBs are native to eastern Asia but have become a very prevalent invasive species of pest in the United States, especially on the east coast, since the late 1900’s. They are most active between the months of March and September at which time the females lay an average of 25-30 eggs each. While these pests are thankfully not dangerous to humans (unless you have a particularly sensitive nose) they have gained infamy for the destruction they can cause in yards and gardens.

Appearance

As stated above, stink bugs have a shield-shaped back out from which their head pokes with two beady eyes on each side. These insects have a total of six legs (three on each side) as well as a pair of long antennae and measure in at an average of 15mm in length. They are typically a dark brown or grey hue and occasionally have lighter colored markings across their shell-like backs.

Diet and Habitats

These pests love areas with a lot of foliage and crops and, as such they can often be found in and around farms, orchards, gardens, and many backyards. They eat a varied diet of leaves, fruits, vegetables, flowers, grains and even weeds. With each bite into these plants stink bugs inject a tiny amount of their saliva into the plant, causing it to develop dark scars or bruises.

Unfortunately, in the autumn months when the days are getting colder, these pests will often venture indoors for warmth and protection against the elements. While there, they can be a massive nuisance and even cause significant damage to ornamental plants within the home.

Prevention

Stink bugs aren’t dangerous, nor do they cause any damage to your home, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t super disruptive pests. They tend to come in groups of hundreds to thousands and, if squashed, give off a terribly off-putting odor. The best way to tackle stink bugs, is to avoid them in the first place by securing your home as best you can and working with professional pest control to administer regular preventative treatments that will deter these pesky stinkers. Call us today for more information on how we can help you, and your nose, stay protected from a smelly siege of stink bugs.

Citations

Cole, J. and Bessin, R. (2015) Brown Marmorated Stinkbug in the Home Garden, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food, and Environment. The Entomology Department at the University of Kentucky. Available at: https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef326 (Accessed: October 2020).

Green, H. (2018) Why Do Stink Bugs Stink?, Youtube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LE-0x9AvGh8(Accessed: June 2020).

Jacobs, S. (2015) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Penn State Extension. Edited by M. Skvarla. The Pennsylvania State University College of Agricultural Sciences. Available at: https://extension.psu.edu/brown-marmorated-stink-bug (Accessed: April 20, 2021).

Penca, C. and Hodges, A. (2019) Brown Marmorated Stink Bug – Halyomorpha halys, University of Florida Department of Entomology and Nematology. Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Available at: https://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/veg/bean/brown_marmorated_stink_bug.htm (Accessed: April 20, 2021).

Schumann, N. (2020) How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs, Country Living. Available at: https://www.countryliving.com/home-maintenance/cleaning/a30627192/how-to-get-rid-stink-bugs/ (Accessed: October 2020).

Stink Bugs Stay Out: Study Measures Gaps Needed for Invasion (2019) Entomology Today. The Entomological Society of America. Available at: https://entomologytoday.org/2019/02/13/stink-bugs-stay-out-study-shows-size-gaps-needed-brown-marmorated-stink-bug-invasion/ (Accessed: October 2020).