Stink Bugs are Back

Spring is an exceptionally wonderful time of year, especially in the northeast where residents have been waiting three or more long months to get out and enjoy the warmer weather.

How Did I Get Stink Bugs?

Whether you were aware of it or not, stink bugs may have found their way into your home last fall. They have an extraordinary ability to slip into homes through torn screens and door cracks thanks to their flat body shape.Stink bugs do this regularly every fall when the temperature dips, and the weather takes a turn for the worst. They gravitate toward the warmth of structures, like your home, to overwinter and wait out the cold weather until spring.

Can Stink Bugs Be Dangerous?

Although stink bugs don't generally present a health threat to people like other pests sometimes do, they are a nuisance. Agriculturally, stink bugs can cause some serious damage. The damage they cause to crops and plants can be quite severe. Stink bugs typically attack apples, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus fruits, corn, tomatoes, green peppers, and persimmons as well as ornamental plants, weeds, soybeans, and beans grown for food production. They tend to damage the plantings permanently due to the piercing and sucking mouthparts that injure the plants.

What is That Smell?

Stink bugs are known for their shield-like shape as well as the odor that they can cause - thus the name stink bug. The smell can be emitted from the glands between the legs of stink bugs which emits an odor that gets much stronger when the pests are smashed or frightened. This ability to secrete a bad-smelling, foul-tasting fluid protects stink bugs from their natural predators. However, no one wants that smell in their home!

How Do I Get Rid of Stink Bugs?

We suggest avoiding squishing, stomping on, or frightening stink bugs. Rather, if you notice these bugs heading toward windows or lights, give them a chance to find their way out by opening up windows and doors. They are especially attracted to light so lure them toward an opening of your choosing by lighting the way. If you find that you have more than just a few stink bugs, you may want to call a professional. Call Pest-End Exterminators now at 1-800-287-4321, 603-382-9644, or 978-794-4321.