Stink Bug Facts
Learn all you need to know about stink bugs
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Stink bugs are small, but they carry a powerful defensive weapon. They get their name from the stink glands located just under their thorax (chest), between the first and second sets of legs, that they can use when threatened or burst when crushed. It releases a powerful, stinky, chemical substance that gives them their name.
Stink bugs are approximately a centimeter across, brown and white in color, and their back forms a shield-like shape which gives them their secondary nickname of "shield bugs." Due to their marbled appearance they are sometimes referred to as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.
For years, stink bugs were found only in China, Taiwan and Japan, but they are notorious for being great hitchers, and ended up in the United States most likely by getting a ride on shipping crates. They appeared first in Pennsylvania, but quickly scattered and have now infested much of the eastern seaboard including New Jersey, and New York, southern states such as Alabama, Louisiana and Midwest states like Indiana and Illinois.
Stink Bug Facts: stink bugs are famous for being strong fliers and can travel up to a mile and can hitch rides in crates and on carts to get from one place to another.
Stink bugs are destructive pests to crops and food. In fact, stink bugs love to devour fruits and vegetables and are particularly fond of soy beans and corn. They are not poisonous, but they pierce the skin of fruits and vegetables to get at the nectar and leave stippled marks that most people find unattractive, thus, crops are unsalable.
As for stink bugs in your home, they are a nuisance because of their smell and sheer numbers. An infestation can start easily and rapid breeding causes the bugs to be everywhere. They get in via any opening such as cracks beneath doors, holes in screens, window air conditioners, open windows or other access points.
A stink bug infestation is usually spotted when you find live and dead bugs lying around the home. Also, if there is a very strong, pungent smell, similar to coriander, without an explanation, you might have a stink bug infestation.
The first step is to get rid of the current infestation. You can use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the visible stink bugs on the carpet, but empty the vacuum bag fast or it could end up smelling. You can also sweep them up using a broom and throw them away, but again use caution so as not to trigger their defenses.
A professional pest control technician can provide an integrated pest management solution that involves a treatment around the perimeter of the home in the fall and advice on sealing up potential access points. Regular inspections to determine if a further infestation is occurring will be beneficial and further treatments may be in order.
Do you want to stop stink bugs from invading your home? Call 1-800-837-5520 or contact us online to schedule a stink bug control service visit.
While there are do-it-yourself solutions that claim to effectively kill and prevent stink bugs, your best bet for a complete year-round solution is to call a professional.
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