What are stink bugs

A stink bug is a small insect that can damage your garden and become a nuisance inside the house. This bug gets its name due to its ability to emit an odor that, well… stinks when threatened.

There are more than 5,000 types of stink bugs around the world, and 200+ of them are commonly found throughout the United States. Stink bug season typically occurs during the fall and winter when stink bugs seek shelter indoors. This period may vary depending on geographic location and climate conditions. If these pests enter your home, a stink bug exterminator can help provide long-term stink bug control.

What do stink bugs look like?

Stink bugs have oval-shaped bodies that resemble a shield, hence their other name – shield bug. Depending on the species, adults are about ⅘ of an inch long.

Stink bugs have six legs, two antennae, and two wings, with the outer wings having a hardened texture. While stink bugs can fly, they are not strong fliers compared to other insects, such as bees or butterflies. They generally fly short distances and prefer to walk or crawl when moving around.

Depending on the species, the color varies from neutral tones ranging from brown to grey to more colorful hues like green or orange-red with dark markings.

Do stink bugs actually stink?

Yes, to scare off predators who don't want to eat smelly prey, stink bugs release foul-smelling chemicals from a gland in their abdomen. These pests have full control over the way they release odors. Stink bugs will only emit their particular stench as a defense mechanism or if you crush one.

Common types of stink bugs

Brown marmorated stink bugs (Halyomorpha halys Stål)

If you've encountered a stink bug, there's a good chance it's this one. The brown marmorated stink bug is the most common nuisance pest among stink bugs in the United States, although it originally hails from Asia. It will often seek shelter indoors. The brown marmorated stink bug can be recognized by its brown, triangle-shaped body and white bands on the antennae.

Harlequin bugs (Murgantia histrionica)

The colorful harlequin bug is a stink bug most commonly found in the southern half of the U.S. They have flat, black, shield-shaped bodies with orange-red markings. They slightly resemble a ladybug but have more distinctive markings. When the harlequin bug feeds on plants, it leaves white blotches that make crops unsightly and unmarketable. They also suck the juices out of plants, causing them to wilt and wither.

Southern green stink bugs (Nezara viridula)

These green-colored stink bugs, originating from Ethiopia, are now widespread globally. They are commonly found in warmer and more humid areas across the United States, like Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Hawaii. They are identifiable by their green coloration with black dots on the abdomen and are known to spread a plant disease that damages cotton and bean crops.

Rice stink bugs (Oebalus pugnax)

These light brown stink bugs feed on the developing grains of rice and other plants, causing the crop to lose quality. While plants are their preferred food source, rice stink bugs will also eat sorghum and plant grasses. You can find rice stink bugs throughout the Southeastern part of the U.S. and in states that experience harsher winters, like Minnesota and New York.

Forest bugs or red-legged shield bugs (Pentatoma rufipes)

These stink bugs live in the forest but also settle in gardens and orchids. They usually feed on the sap of oak trees. They are triangular-shaped with orange legs and red-orange markings on their brown bodies. These forest bugs consume nuts and fruits straight from trees and will also feed on other insects.

Stink bug reproduction and life cycle

Stink bugs typically mate in spring, laying clusters of eggs on the undersides of leaves and stems. The life cycle consists of three stages: egg, nymph, and adult. A female can lay between 30 to 100 eggs at a time, taking four to seven days to hatch. Nymphs (hatchlings) will molt up to five times over 40 to 60 days before reaching adulthood. Stink bugs can live between 50 days and eight months, depending on the environment. Thankfully, stink bugs don't reproduce indoors, making it somewhat easier to get rid of them if you find one in your home!

What do stink bugs eat?

Stink bugs primarily feed on plants, including fruits, berries, beans, and nuts, though some may also consume other insects. Stink bugs are exclusively fluid feeders from plants. They’ll commonly target plants and crops, including holly, corn, soybeans, peanuts, fruit trees, and garden vegetables. In recent years, the brown marmorated stink bug has become a significant agricultural pest in many parts of the world.

When stink bugs reside in your home, they can feed on indoor plants. However, these pests rarely eat inside houses since they usually enter homes in search of a place to hibernate.

Are stink bugs dangerous?

Stink bugs don't bite or transmit disease-causing pathogens. However, some people may be allergic to the compounds these pests release to scare predators. Symptoms of such an allergic reaction usually include a runny nose and conjunctivitis (pink eye).

If you’re concerned about stink bugs entering your home, stink bug exterminators use safe and effective methods to eradicate stink bugs without harming residents or pets.

Stink bugs are not harmful to people or pets. While harmless to humans, they can damage plants both inside the house and in the garden. Stink bugs have been known to decimate crops such as apples, peaches, and soybeans yearly.

What attracts stink bugs to my home

Stink bugs are attracted to warmth and seek shelter indoors during colder months. One of the most common stink bugs homeowners will encounter during these months is the brown marmorated stink bug. Once a stink bug is inside your home, the pest releases a specific odor, inviting others to join it. You’ll most commonly find stink bugs inside your home, backyard, or garden. Common signs of an infestation include live or dead stink bugs indoors, excrement trails, unpleasant odors, and damaged or dying plants.

How do you get rid of stink bugs in your home and yard?

Common DIY methods for eliminating stink bugs include manually removing them with a broom and dustpan (while avoiding crushing them). Some try to use a vacuum, but that is not advised because if the stink bug is crushed, the vacuum can spread its foul odor. As a result, that smell may not go away and can permeate through your home if you use the vacuum elsewhere.

Additionally, some store-bought sprays can harm the environment or beneficial insects if misused. Professional stink bug exterminators use targeted, environmentally friendly methods to control stink bug populations.

How Terminix® helps you with stink bug control

Stink bugs in your home or yard can become a serious problem. Besides ruining your plants and gardens, these unsightly pests give off an unpleasant odor.

Unfortunately, DIY stink bug extermination methods rarely work. But don't worry! Terminix leverages expert technicians who are well-versed in professional techniques to remove pesky stink bugs from your property. Get started with pest control today!