If an insect ever had an appropriate name, the stink bug is it! Consider yourself lucky if you’ve never smelled their acrid emissions. If you have experienced it, you know what I mean. They are a special kind of nuisance!
If you think stink bugs have made their home in your home, it’s important to be able to correctly identify and rid yourself of them. This month I want to describe what they look like, how to tell if you have an infestation, and why you should remove them ASAP.
Stink bugs look a lot like a gray-to-brown shield that moves. Distinguishing features include alternating light and dark patterns on their legs, antennae, and abdomen. They grow to nearly 5/8 inches in length and go through several stages of development before reaching adulthood.
You might ask “do they really smell bad?” Fortunately, the answer is “not all the time.” Much like a skunk, these pests emit a pungent smell when threatened or disturbed. Keep them calm and nothing may happen. You may even be able to touch one without it releasing an odor…but don’t bet on it.
Like many other insects, stink bugs can make their way into homes and businesses. They don’t usually cause direct harm to humans, but some people are allergic to their spray. However, the very idea of a swarm co-habiting with you can be disturbing.
While they may not seriously hurt you, the story can be different for your gardens, landscaping, and fields. Stink bugs are a major threat to vegetation, causing substantial damage annually.
As an invasive species, they also have the potential to disrupt local ecosystems and outcompete native insects for resources. Because of the damage they can cause, you should take stink bug a infestation seriously.
Prevention is key to keeping your buildings and property free of stink bugs. (These practices also discourage many pests from causing problems, so you may well prevent other types of infestations by adopting them!) – Seal cracks in walls, around windows and doors
– Install screens on doors and windows (repair damaged screens, too)
– Keep wood, leaves, and stick piles away from your foundation
– Trim bushes and thin plantings to allow more light into the landscaping
– Encourage the presence of natural predators like braconid wasps, assassin bugs, and birds
– Use yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights outdoors (less attractive to stink bugs)
Applying pesticides for interior stink bug control is often ineffective. However, some chemicals have proven useful as outdoor perimeter treatments when applied at the correct time of year.
If stink bugs have already made their way into your place, isolate the affected rooms by closing exits and sealing cracks. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove both living and dead insects while limiting the amount of odor that’s spread. Just be sure to discard the bag (or empty your canister) in an outdoor container when finished.
Another control strategy is to deploy simple homemade light traps to capture and kill them as they begin to emerge in the spring and summer. (See light trap instructions at https://www.wvtf.org/science-technology/2014-05-01/the-perfect-stink-bug-trap-is-all-natural.)
Pest problems of all types have a nasty habit of spiraling out of control if ignored. Rarely do they simply resolve themselves. The longer you wait to address an issue, the more difficult it can be to completely recover. Stink bugs definitely fit this description.
If an infestation has taken hold inside your home or business, it’s important to seek the help of a licensed pest control professional. If you happen to find stink bugs inside or outside your home, business or outside, it’s best to avoid handling them. At KC Pest Control, we know how to identify many insects including stink bugs, and are equipped to prevent, control, and eliminate infestations. Contact us at (405) 679-8729 to arrange a visit.
