What You Need To Know About Stink Bugs This Christmas

Stink bugs are just like their names suggest- they really stink. In fact, stink bugs are known to emit various smells and you wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end. Christmas is coming and no one wants to have a bug infestation with their family around. In this post, you will find important information about these bugs. It’ll help you to understand these bugs and know how to deal with them if they get to your home. Enjoy!

Where did stink bugs come from?

Stink bugs are known to be invasive species in the US. They were originally found in Asia and have since spread throughout all states of North America. That means they’re a real threat even in Maryland. Stink bugs can often cause damage to crops, trees, and fruit plants. Moreover, they can damage even the interior parts of homes if they happen to get access.

Halyomorpha halys, is an invasive pest that is present throughout much of the United States. The species is native to Asia and was introduced into the United States in the mid-1990s, possibly stowing away in a shipping container. The presence of this stink bug is concerning for farmers because it feeds on a large number of high-value crops and ornamental plants in its immature and adult life stages.

In the United States, the highest concentrations of brown marmorated stink bugs occur in the mid-Atlantic region, and they have been identified in 38 states and the District of Columbia. They cause major economic damage to fruit, vegetable, and field crops in the mid-Atlantic region. However, while farmers in other regions of the country are concerned about the presence of the brown marmorated stink bug, they are currently not a significant agricultural pest in most areas outside of the mid-Atlantic region. Read more from EPA…

When do stink bugs come out?

You’re likely to encounter more stink bugs in the late summer and fall. They will come out during this time because it is when they want to reproduce. So you may see them crawling on your window sills. If not, they may be hiding inside your walls or furniture looking for a place to lay their eggs.

Stink bugs emerge in the spring to feed and reproduce. Late July and August are the most common times to see damage to plants. And in the fall, as the weather turns colder, the bugs start invading homes in search of a warm place to spend the winter. Stink bugs typically gather on warm, west-facing walls and enter buildings via cracks and crevices.

But they have been seen at all times of the year, in all regions. Read more from Farmers Almanac…

How do you get rid of stink bugs?

There are a few things you can do to get rid of stink bugs in your home. Stink bugs like to congregate in warm, dark places. So, the best way to get rid of them is by finding and eliminating their hiding spots. Additionally, you can deal with them by sealing cracks and other openings in buildings that provide an entry point.

Cracks or openings should be sealed with caulk to prevent entry by stink bugs. Torn window screens should be repaired, and window-mounted air conditioners should be removed for the winter.

Live and dead stink bugs can be removed from buildings with a vacuum cleaner or shop vac, and the vacuum bag should be promptly removed and discarded. Because these bugs are attracted to light, turning on a single light in a room can allow them to be captured as they approach the light, using a jar or bottle. Trapped bugs can be disposed of by throwing them outside or by placing them in a sealed container in a trash can.

Insecticides should not be used inside houses after the insects have gained access. Using an insecticide indoors is not recommended because this will not stop additional invasions, and exposure of humans and pets to pesticides should be avoided. Read more from Ohio Online…

If you have a lot of stink bugs in your home, it might be best to call a professional exterminator like Backyard Bug Patrol. We have special tools and techniques for getting rid of pests and we know how to prevent them from coming back. So, contact us today and we will give you the best rates in town.