For millions of homeowners throughout North America, stink bugs have become an unfortunate fact of life. At home, these invaders release a nasty odor when disturbed or crushed and are challenging pests to deal with. They can squeeze themselves through the smallest of cracks, and a large number of them can drive property owners up the wall in search of peace indoors.
The invasive brown marmorated stink bug hails from parts of Asia and has made a whirlwind tour across the country since it was first identified in Pennsylvania in the late 1990s. These relentless pests do considerable damage to all types of gardens and crops, and are also a nuisance within your home. In the Mid-Atlantic area alone, stink bugs are responsible for more than $37 million in crop-related damages each year.
Knowing what the animals want helps homeowners get ready for them to come calling each season and what to do in order to control them. You can also Head over here to know more about these pests.
What is a Stink Bug and What You Need to Know About Them
Stink bugs are small, winged insects with shield-like bodies that are about 1/2 inch long. Although the brown marmorated stink bug is the most common species, it varies from light brown to dark brown and is characterized by its speckling and white bands on its antennae and legs. These bugs have piercing-sucking mouthparts for sucking plant juices.
When threatened, they have a way of warding off predators from a couple pairs glands on their thorax that release a really strong and bitter-smelling odor. This chemical defense helps the fish, so that predators do not eat them, but this causes some big problems when humans accidently piss them off. In optimal conditions, adult stink bugs can survive for up to eight months and may bear several generations in a single year.
They are mostly fruit, vegetable, and ornamental plant eaters during warmer weather. But they take shelter inside when the temperatures at night are chilly, and that means homes are their preferred overwintering sites.
What to Expect From a Stink Bug?
Seasonal Activity Patterns
Stink bugs are most active in late summer and early fall. September-November is their peak invasion time as they seek warm shelter before the winter sets in. During these months, homeowners usually experience heightened movement along outside walls, windows, and entryways.
Emergence in the spring takes place when the temperatures are consistently over 70 degrees. Adult stink bugs from their winter hideouts crawl to outdoor plants to mate and lay eggs. This latter activity period occurs during the months of April–June in the majority of the habitats.
Common Problem Areas
These bugs will gather on the sunny side of buildings where it is warmest through the day. Stink bugs get attracted to the south-facing walls in the hopes of finding a perfect hibernation spot for the winter. They are able to crawl in spaces the size of windows, doors, plumbing, and roof vents.
How You Can Fight Back?
Prevention Strategies
The sealing of entry points is considered the best long-term control for stink bugs. Check and seal crevices around windows, doors, siding, and foundation with a durable caulk and high-quality caulk or weatherstripping. Covering vents and chimneys with fine mesh screens will also eliminate entry through these popular entryways.
Active Control Methods
But the instant elimination effect of vacuuming leaves no chance to start any offensive odors. Empty vac bags or canisters straight after use to avoid smells stinking out your house. Dispose of collected insects in a tightly sealed plastic bag and place in outdoor garbage.
Soapy water traps are an efficient tool for monitoring and managing indoor infestations. Fill shallow containers with soapy water and set them in or near known activity areas. Studies conducted at Virginia Tech confirm that stink bugs will die within minutes when washed in the soapy water solutions.
Customised professional pest control applications will address the pests themselves as well as the source of the problem wherever they are likely to enter your home.
