Brown marmorated stink bugs are shield-shaped pests with mottled brown and gray bodies. About the size of a penny, stink bugs have six long legs, two long, thin antennae, and a pair of wings they use to fly. Their antennae have lighter-colored bands on them, and their wings have darker-colored markings.
Stink bugs mainly feed on plant juices. They aren’t particularly picky and will suck the juices from fruits, vegetables, ornamentals, and crop plants. Brown marmorated stink bugs can get at the juices by using their mouth parts that pierce the plants, then act as a straw to suck out the juices.
Stink bugs do not bite, and they are not known to carry or spread diseases to humans or pets. Therefore, they are mainly considered nuisance pests.
Although they’re not dangerous to your health, stink bugs can be a problem for your home and property. There are a couple of reasons for this. The first has to do with their name. When stink bugs are squished or threatened, they emit an unpleasant odor often compared to the smell of strong herbs, particularly cilantro. The said odor can linger for up to an hour after release.
The second problem with stink bugs is that they damage the plants they feed on. Damage can result in rot, discoloration, and hardened tissue growth around the area of the plant where the stink bug fed.
It’s also worth noting that stink bugs usually infest homes in large numbers. Although they are mainly considered nuisance pests and won’t harm your house, it’s still highly unpleasant to deal with dozens and dozens of them.
As seasonal invaders, brown marmorated stink bugs infest homes primarily in the fall when they start looking for a warm, sheltered area where they can overwinter. These pests will gather on sunny exterior walls in large groups during the day, then find their way inside through small cracks and gaps around windows and doors. Once inside, you’ll see them in your living areas before they find their way into wall voids or your attic, where they’ll overwinter.
You may see stink bugs leaving their overwintering sites in your house in the spring, but they’re probably looking for a way out. They spend the warmer months outside before starting the process over again in the fall.
Stink bugs enter structures through small openings. They may exploit a window screen tear, a foundation crack, or a hole in your siding. They'll find a way in if there is space under your front door or gaps around your windows.
If you see a large group of stink bugs on the exterior walls of your house, it means that they will soon be moving inside with you. Although you can try to remove them yourself with a broom or a hose, neither option will eliminate them, and they’ll likely return.
Your best bet when encountering stink bugs is to contact Four Seasons Pest Control. We offer pest control services to take care of these seasonal invaders. With our treatments, you can be certain that stink bugs will not invade your home or spend the winter in your walls. With over 25 years of experience serving Virginia and North Carolina, our treatments provide long-lasting protection.
You can do a few things to prevent a stink bug infestation this fall. Try these prevention tips:
If you’ve been seeing stink bugs around your home lately or know they’ll show up like they have in the past, give Four Seasons Pest Control a call. We’ll inspect your house and provide the effective treatments necessary to keep these bothersome pests out of your house.
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Ringgold, VA
I have been a Four Seasons customer from the beginning. All of the service workers have been great over the years. Josh is friendly and answers my questions. I am pleased with his competence to rid my home of pests. Thank you, Josh!
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Greensboro, NC
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Danville, VA
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