Are You Ready For The Stink Bugs?
05/10/2018
Doesn’t it feel so nice to finally have warmer temperatures again? Winter is over and it’s time to look forward to all of the things th...
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Stink bugs are one of the most unpleasant nuisance pests that you can have in your home. They might not be the most dangerous insects, but they top the list when it comes to foul odor. If you’ve noticed these putrid pests crawling around your property, spare your nostrils and learn how to keep stink bugs out of your Maryland home this fall.
About Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are large, shield-shaped insects measuring around 3/4 of an inch. They are about as wide as they are long, with six legs jutting out like stilts, making stink bugs appear bigger than they are. These pests have wings and will not hesitate to take flight. Their diet consists primarily of live plants, and unlike other home-infesting pests, they prefer to spend their time outdoors. Stink bugs found in the home are usually seeking shelter from the cold.
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) was accidentally introduced to the United States in the 1990s, most likely stowed away in shipping containers from Asia. These stink bugs have a mottled brown and white color and have spread throughout most of the Eastern U.S.
As their name implies, stink bugs release a powerful smell when threatened or crushed. Depending on whom you ask, the odor isn’t all that bad, resembling strong herbs like cilantro more than the sort of rancid smell we often associate with the word “stink.” However, this herbaceous odor is quite strong and can linger for hours.
Why You’re Seeing Stink Bugs
Stink bugs like to seek shelter at the first sign of cold weather. During the fall months, they stealthily infiltrate homes and businesses to hide until spring. Walls, attics, and crawl spaces are all typical areas around the home where stink bugs rest during a period of inactivity called “diapause.”
If you’ve seen stink bugs around the house, it’s most likely because they were overwintering in your home. Stink bugs emerge from hiding at the first sign of warm weather and usually gather on the sunny side of the house. Unseasonable warmth may even cause them to emerge during the winter months.
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous?
They’re stinky, and they’re creepy, but stink bugs aren’t dangerous to people. They aren’t known to spread disease or parasites and won’t cause any damage to property or belongings. The only real threat that stink bugs pose is to your garden. Their mouthparts are specially designed to pierce stems and roots of vegetation and slurp up the juices inside. Stink bugs will feed on a wide variety of plants, from prized flowers to crops to ordinary weeds.
If anything, stink bugs are a nuisance. They may infest your home in large numbers, which can be quite an unsettling sight given their large size and ability to fly. They can’t bite through human skin, but handling these bugs can provoke them to emit that trademark odor. Although stink bugs are on the mild side when it comes to danger, that doesn’t mean you want to share your home with them.
How To Keep Stink Bugs Out
If you’re looking to keep stink bugs out of your Maryland home this fall, nothing beats professional assistance from American Pest. We offer comprehensive residential pest control services to protect your property from a wide variety of nuisance pests, including stink bugs. Our state-licensed technicians will evaluate your home for any signs of stink bug activity, eliminate your infestation, and provide ongoing protection throughout the year. Don’t let stink bugs ruin your Maryland home; call American Pest today.
