Noticing small, greenish-brown bugs congregating throughout the cracks of your home’s foundation or even inside your house? While many might identify these insects as stinkbugs, they might actually kudzu bugs! Kudzu bugs and brown marmorated stinkbugs are often confused with each other. While these pests do have some similarities, they are quite different from each other. Let’s breakdown how these insects are both alike and different!
How They’re Alike Kudzu Bug
Both stinkbugs and kudzu bugs are known to be a nuisance to all homeowners. Both are highly attracted to warmth and will enter homes to find a warm place to gather. When disturbed, both species will emit an alarming chemical defense against predators. When crushed, they release a very unpleasant odor from their bodies. Even worse, if several of these insects are crushed together, the smell left behind is extremely powerful.
How They’re Different Stinkbug
A stinkbug’s shield-like body is around 1/2″ long and 1/2″ wide with shades of brown across its entire body. Their body size is a bit larger than a kudzu bug, with the kudzu’s measuring only 4 to 6 millimeters long. Kudzu bug bodies are olive green and brown, with a flat, squarish body shape.
Stinkbugs will typically feed off ornamental plants, fruit trees, legumes, and vegetables. The kudzu bug prefers to eat kudzu vines but will occasionally eat soybeans and most any other type of beans. While both stinkbugs and kudzu bugs utilize different types of food sources, both will destroy crops, making both species agricultural pests.
How to Prevent Them
If you notice either of these pests infesting your home, try some of these pest prevention tips below:
Seal cracks around windows, doors, siding, and outlets that are leading inside.
Properly ventilate basements, attics, garages, and crawlspaces to eliminate harborage points.
Install screens over chimney and crawlspace vents.
Consider calling your local pest control company to inspect, identify areas of entry, and provide you with a treatment plan!
Stink bugs, often called kudzu bugs, are classified as occasional invaders and usually make an appearance in the Spring in Georgia. They look similar to brown lady bugs, feed on plants (like kudzu), and give off an unpleasant smell when threatened. Because of their small size, stink bugs can fit in the smallest cracks and crevices, making their way into your home in search of water and shelter. Most likely, at this time of year, they’re looking for somewhere warm to escape the cold winter temperatures. Once inside, your attic or other infrequently used spaces for storage will likely be their preferred residence. If not controlled and eliminated, stink bugs will infest the area and remain inside your home until Spring, when they will start moving outside in search of food.
Because of their strong smell, it’s recommended to call a pest control company that specializes in stink bug control to get rid of them. Temporarily, you can dispose of them by using a vacuum but this can cause a lingering smell. If you choose to do this, they should be emptied outside of your home immediately.
Prevention is key with stink bugs. Prior to seasonal changes in weather, make sure your home is airtight. Cracks, crevices, and gaps around doors, window, and pipes should be sealed and broken screens or attic/crawl space vents repaired. Once inside, it can be extremely difficult to control them.
The stink bug gets its name from its ability to release an odor when they are disturbed or crushed. Stink bugs have a triangular or shield shape.
Habits:
Enter homes and other structures in the winter for shelter and emerge from their hiding spaces in early spring.
Mostly feed on plants and crops.
Some species feed off of other pests such as caterpillars and other crop damaging pests. This species of stink bug is used as a natural pest control for crops.
When disturbed, they release a foul smelling fluid from their pores to protect themselves from predators.
Seal cracks and crevices around the structure of your home so they cannot enter.
Do not shine outside lights directly onto your home…this will attract stink bugs to your home.
Use a vacuum to get rid of stink bugs. Empty contents of vacuum into a tightly sealed trash bag and dispose of immediately. Do NOT crush! Crushing will cause them to emit their infamous odor.
Because of their ability to invade en masse, contact Northwest Exterminating if a stink bug infestation happens in your home or business.
