Stink Bugs: What Do They Actually Do?

You might see them hanging onto your curtains, lying on your kitchen window sill, or even atop your light fixtures; it seems that stink bugs can be found almost anywhere in your house. While stink bugs are incredibly sneaky when entering homes and they might become a major annoyance to you and your family, these pests aren’t exactly harmful to humans. So, what do stink bugs actually do besides creep into homes? We have all the facts you’ve been missing about stink bugs! 

Brown marmorated stink bugs are grayish brown, with 6 legs and a triangular-shaped body. These bugs were given their name from the odor they emit if threatened. If disturbed by predators, these bugs will secrete a bad-smelling fluid from the pores located on the sides of their bodies. The smell is often described as similar to herbs or strong spices like cilantro. The odor is also known to linger for hours on end. 

Stink bugs often like to feed on fruits while the nymphs, or immature stink bugs, will feed on leaves, stems, and fruits. They will use their mouths to suck the juice from leaves, stems, and roots of plants. This can be a major threat to the agricultural industry as these bugs are known to destroy crops. While they might be a threat to crops, they don’t pose a direct danger to humans. 

As the weather gets colder, stink bugs go in search of warm, overwintering sites. These bugs tend to invade homes in high numbers when searching for warmth and can easily sneak inside if homes do not have the proper prevention plan in place. 

If you notice these pests are starting to infest your home, use some of these stink bug prevention tips below: 

• Replace all damaged screens and doors that have holes or gaps leading inside 
• Consider using yellow bulbs for your outdoor lighting as they are less attractive to stink bugs 
• Seal all cracks around windows, doors, siding, outlets, underneath wood fascia, and any other openings leading indoors 
• If you already have stink bugs inside, use a vacuum cleaner to remove them; be sure to discard the bag or empty the canister to prevent the odor from spreading indoors. 
• If stink bugs keep sneaking in, consider calling your local pest control company where they will inspect, identify areas of infestation, and provide you with a treatment plan!