Stink Bugs are an invasive species that was brought over to the United States from Eastern Asia in the mid-1990s. Today, stink bugs are most prevalent in the mid-Atlantic region in general, but in our state of Virginia, they have a bad reputation for being a BIG annoyance. Controlling stink bugs is tricky, but this article will help you understand these little stinkers better. Because once the stinkbugs come in for their winter’s nap, you’ll have a long Springtime of annoying and smelly bug houseguests.
What do Stink Bugs Look Like?
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Color: Mottled grayish-brown
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Shape: Triangular or shield shape
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Antennae: Straight antennae with light brown bands
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Length: 12-17 mm long
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Legs: 6
How Serious Are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs can damage ornamental plants and gardens, however, they don’t typically cause any structural damage or spread disease. Stink Bugs are more of a nuisance than a threat. Glands between the legs of stink bugs release an odor that becomes strong and difficult to shake when they are crushed. They will frequently die in light fixtures, making rooms smell, and creating lots of clean up. They will also fly around the room, get trapped in your hair and window blinds, and crawl on your walls and ceilings.
Signs of a Stink Bug Infestation:
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Large Numbers – Homeowners at risk for stink bug infestation normally find large numbers all over their homes in the Springtime when, unfortunately, it’s too late to get rid of them. If you have seen them in the Spring, they got into your home in the late summer/early Fall, ie August to October.
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Sunny Walls – When they enter your home in the Fall, they’ll head where it’s warmest, sunny walls and attic spaces (heat rises)
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Crops: Growers can detect them by the damage of their crops.
Where Do They Live?
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Inside Homes: In late summers, stink bugs will move into homes to try and find shelter to spend their winter months until the spring. They have the ability to slip into homes through torn screens and cracks in windows and doors. They don’t need much room at all.
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In Walls: Stink bugs spend the winter hiding inside walls or in attics. In the springtime they will emerge and start making a real nuisance of themselves. For this reason, the only time you can effectively eliminate stink bugs is to stop them BEFORE they come hide in your home for the Winter.
Prevention Tips
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Seal Cracks – Homeowners can prevent stink bugs by sealing their entry ways. Cracks around doors can be sealed with caulk or weather stripping.
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Screens- Vents and attic crawl spaces can be protected with screens. Torn window screens should also be repaired.
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Plan Ahead – As we’ve previously said, stink bugs can only be treated in late summer/ early fall to prevent them from coming in the house. After that, once they’re in, they can be very hard to get rid of. If you’ve had an issue with stink bugs in the spring. You’ll want to schedule treatment before it’s too late!
If you need help controlling stink bugs in your home, contact the experts at Holistic Pest Solutions. Our stink bug control services are developed specifically with your family and pets in mind. Holistic Pest Solutions serves Charlottesville, Keswick, Ivy, Crozet, Hollymead, Earlysville, Afton, Waynesboro, Fishersville, and Staunton as well as the counties of Albemarle, Fluvanna and Augusta in the State of Virginia. CONTACT US today.
See also: Why Are There So Many Stink Bugs in My House?
*Our Environmental Commitment: Holistic Pest Solutions is committed to the preservation of our environment. Our goal is to nurture the soils and plant life of lawns and landscapes. Utilizing holistic pest control practices that cause the least amount of impact on the environment.
