What Are Stink Bugs? (2024)

• Pest Control, Pest Tips

Identification: Adult stink bugs are approximately 0.5 to 0.7 inches long, with a mottled brownish-gray coloration. They have distinctive white bands on their antennae and legs, which makes them easier to recognize.

Lifecycle: The lifecycle of a stink bug is egg, nymph, and adult. Female stink bugs will lay eggs on the undersides of leaves and branches that will hatch in 5 days to 2 weeks. Once they reach adulthood, they can live between 6 to 8 months. In warmer climates, adult stink bugs will often lay 2 to 3 hatches in their lifetime.

Behavior: Stink bugs are most active during the warmer months, feeding on a variety of plants. This is where most of their nuisance comes from, as they feed on plants that often include fruits, berries, beans, and nuts, but they can also consume other insects occasionally. Stink bugs feed on these plants by inserting their needlelike mouthparts into the plants to suck out the sap. This repeated stabbing and draining can hurt the plants. While one stink bug won’t destroy a garden, an infestation can hurt the plants they’re feeding on.

Agricultural Impact: Stink bugs are notorious for their damaging effects on crops. Their feeding on the fruits and leaves can kill seedlings or leave the plant weaker as they grow. In addition to killing the plants, they can cause rot and blemishes to the plants and fruit that survive.

Infestation: When the weather begins to cool down, stink bugs will try to migrate towards the warmth that the interior of a home offers. This can lead to a quick infestation where all the outside stink bugs will attempt to move into a home and multiply. Once they’re in the home, the internal temperature can confuse their overwintering instincts. This is why an occasional stink bug will turn up late in the fall or early in the spring. They’ve overwintered in the home’s walls or attic and woken up by the interior temperature.

Their Smell: Ultimately, the main problem that most individuals have with these pests is their namesake, the smell. Stink bugs will trigger their smell when threatened or when crushed. Once they’ve triggered their odor, the smell can permeate furniture and fabrics, making it difficult to remove. This can make their removal challenging since dealing with them in a home can lead to them releasing their odor and leaving the smell inside.

Prevention:

• Seal Entry Points: The main way that stink bugs get into homes is through cracks and gaps, especially around windows, doors, and utility pipes. If stink bugs are consistently getting into a home, it is time to inspect the home for gaps around pipes, rips in screens, or gaps around the doors.
• Install Screens: If there are any windows or doors that don’t have a complete screen, make sure those are updated. Windows, especially those in older homes, are the main areas of concern because there are small gaps that stink bugs can take advantage of.
• Reduce Outdoor Lighting: Like most bugs, stink bugs are going to be drawn to bright lights. When there are a lot of bright exterior lights, stink bugs will work their way towards them and then potentially find their way in through a small gap. Turning off the exterior lights when they aren’t needed will help reduce the draw for all insects.

Control Methods:

• Natural Predators: Whenever possible, it’s a good idea to leave outdoor space for natural predators like birds and spiders. They want to eat all of the bugs in a garden and will help keep them away if they have a place to be.
• Chemical Control: When an exterior infestation gets severe, insecticides can be used. If you’re applying chemicals at home, always follow the label and consider using a professional if more assistance is needed.
• Physical Removal: If the stink bugs are inside a home, a vacuum cleaner can be used to remove stink bugs from indoor areas. Once they’ve been sucked up, dispose of the vacuum bag immediately to prevent the odor from spreading. This allows the bugs to be quickly gathered and removed before they release their odor indoors.

Stink bugs are a growing concern in many parts of the country. Their negative impacts are mainly seen in home gardens and large farms. This, and their propensity for moving into homes during the colder seasons, can cause annoyance. Thankfully, there are things people can do to reduce the problems that stink bugs cause. As always, if any pest control problems are getting out of hand, don’t hesitate to reach out for help!