Have you ever found a stink bug in or around your home or business? These pests don’t pose too much of a threat but can be a real nuisance. Brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSBs) are native to China, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. They were unintentionally introduced into the United States, with the first specimen being collected in Pennsylvania in 1998. As more of these critters become about during the fall season, it’s important to know more about them and their nature. Here Local Exterminator discusses everything you need to know about stink bugs.

Stink bugs are large, oval, or shield-shaped insects found throughout the United States. They get their common name from the odor of the chemical that they produce in glands on their abdomen. BMSBs are primarily cropping pests, meaning they love to infest plants and fruits. They become a nuisance for homeowners when they enter homes in the fall looking for warm shelter. They are attracted to the south side of structures on warm days in search of protected and overwintering sites.

In the wild, these adult pests spend the winter months in cracks or under the peeling bark of older or dead trees. In early autumn, they look for wintering sites. They can often be found on the outsides of buildings, in leaf litter and vegetation. When brown stink bugs enter your home, they congregate near doors, windows, and other entry points. They seek out narrow spaces to hide, preferring high and cool locations. Stink bugs can be found in cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings.

Stink bugs do not bite or sting and are not harmful to humans or pets. While the insects are not dangerous, they are noisy and can leave an unwanted pungent smell. It has been known for these pests to enter homes in large numbers. Although stink bugs will not reproduce or cause damage inside structures, they will emit a pungent odor when crushed or threatened by humans and can stain surfaces. Once stink bugs find their way indoors, they stage a slow-motion home invasion all winter long. They’re intrepid explorers, lumbering along any surface like countertops, furniture, etc.

Over the last five years, the brown marmorated stink bug has caused one of Georgia’s largest exports, hazelnuts, to drop by one-third. They spread rapidly in Georgia and damaged $60 million worth of hazelnuts (also known as Filberts) and other crops including grapes, corn, peaches, apples and vegetables. This is the biggest threat stink bugs pose. If you own a farm or backyard garden be sure to rid your property of these pests. If you have a stink bug problem on your property, contact your local pest company for help.

As summer comes to an end and temperatures begin to drop it’s best to begin preparing for the winter months. Consider pest-proofing your home, both inside and out, to prevent BMSBs and other pests from entering your home this fall. For those wondering how to prevent stink bugs, here are 10 simple steps that homeowners can take:

Here at Local Exterminator. we combine the highest quality work with the best customer service available in the industry. We have been protecting residential properties for nearly three decades with our residential home pest control services.