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Has anyone else come across a creepy looking insect just hanging out near a window in your home? That would be the brown marmorated stink bug and it is a relatively new pest in North America. Whatever you do, do not squish it. Your nose will be sorry you did. The stinkbug is notorious for its repugnant reputation; it gets its name from its propensity to release a noxious odor as a defense mechanism when disturbed or when crushed. So now that you know what the strange insect is, let’s learn a little more about it.
Most stink bugs eat only plants and can cause a good deal of damage to a garden. They use piercing and sucking mouthparts to penetrate the outer skin of a plant and feed on its juices. There are some species of stink bugs that are predatory but they are not dangerous to humans. These stink bugs feed on the fluids of caterpillars and other pest insects.
Do brown marmorated stink bugs bite or sting?
Brown marmorated stink bugs do not sting or bite since they do not the ability to do so. This is why they use smell as a means of defense. When provoked, the stinkbug releases a foul-smelling odor from their abdomen. It can be triggered when they are injured, frightened, or squashed from a bird’s beak or your shoe.
Why do stink bugs want in my home so badly?
Stink bugs often enter our homes in autumn as the temperatures begin to cool; they find their way in through small cracks in windows, doors, vents, and chimneys. Their objective is to find a cozy hiding spot to wait out the cold; however, the warm temperatures inside the house keep them active instead. Active stink bugs are generally hard to miss as they crawl and fly about the room. Once winter is over and warmer temperatures return, the intrusive insects emerge and try to get back outside without even thanking you for your hospitality!
Are stink bugs breeding in my home or building a nest?
Stink bugs are not breeding in your home. Actually, they are in “sleeping” state. During the cold winter months, stink bugs begin a type of hibernation called diapause. While in this condition, they do not feed nor reproduce. The female stink bug is incapable of reproducing until early spring, so your home is safe from stink bug nests.
The big problem with stink bugs is that they are an intrusive species and have no natural predators in the United States. While a few may fall prey to certain types of predators, not enough are eaten to seriously control their population numbers. Your best bet is to be prepared for keeping them out of your home with a selection of pest control products specifically designed to manage stink bug problems. Traps like the Victor Ultimate Stink Bug Trap and the Rescue Stink Bug Trap attract and catch stink bugs, preventing them from damaging plants or entering your home.
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