What are Stink Bugs?
The stink bug, or more specifically the brown marmorated stink bug, is scientifically known as the Halyomorpha halys. Besides for the unpleasant odor it can produce, it’s also an agricultural threat.
Origin of the Stink Bug
The bug is native to parts of Asia, mainly China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan, and was first spotted in the U.S. in 1998, in Allentown, Pennsylvania, about 60 miles north of Philadelphia. Today the bug is believed to have invaded as many of 33 states.
Description
At approximately 1 inch long and 1 inch wide, the brown bug has a shield-like shape, with light bands on the antennae and dark bands on the outer edge of its wings. It has brown legs with white speckles or banding. The insect has stink glands on both its underside, between the first and second pair of legs, and on its dorsal surface.
Stink Bug Damage
In eastern Asia the bug has been a pest to fruit trees and soybeans, and recently is has become a farm crop pest in the Mid-Atlantic as well. It feeds on a wide range of fruits and vegetables, including apples, peaches, green beans, soybeans, cherries, raspberries and more, by piercing the plant and sucking out the juices. This results in dimpled areas on the surface of the fruit and rotting of the flesh underneath, making the fruit unfit for sale.
In terms of people, the only harm that can be inflicted is a foul odor. The bugs emit the odor as a defense mechanism to ward off birds and lizards; however, handling the bug, injuring it or heating it up can trigger the release of the odor as well. While not hazardous to humans, the smell is quite annoying and unpleasant.
The pesky insect typically invades homes in the fall, seeking protection from the cold. Once sheltered, it goes into a state of hibernation until winter passes, though the indoor warmth can sometimes cause the bug to awaken and become active.
Reproduction
Adult stink bugs usually live for up to a year, and a female will produce as many as 400 eggs in her lifetime. The females lay egg masses at weekly intervals and the nymphs emerge four to five days after being laid.
Preventing Stink Bugs
In China, there is a small, parasitoid wasp that is the stink bug’s primary predator. Research is being conducted to determine if and how to introduce it in the U.S. In the meantime the best way to prevent the stink bugs from entering your home is to seal cracks around ceilings, doors, windows, pipes and anywhere else. If you find significant cracks or openings in your ceiling or roof contact a professional roofer to close it up. Not only will the opening allow more stink bugs to enter but it can create a draft and increase utility bills.
If this isn’t working or if the bugs have already invaded your home, try to locate the entrance from which they have entered, and seal it up. If it’s no use or you need immediate results, contact a local stink bug expert.
The stink bugs may be a nuisance, but unless you’re a farm owner, it’s not a major problem. If the bugs come in large numbers and persist, your home can be effectively treated by a pest control specialist.
