You’ve seen them hanging around walls and window screens throughout the year, but more prevalent during the winter season. Stink bugs earned their name because they emanate a foul smell if crushed from scent glands located on the abdomen area.

Identification and History

The adults are approximately 17 millimeters long, have various shades of brown on both the upper and lower shield-like, boxy bodies.

Adult females deposit eggs from late spring to late summer. The eggs hatch the small black, and red nymphs transform through five molting stages. Adults emerge in the spring, mate, continue the cycle, and search for hibernation sites from September through October.

Stink bugs are relatively newer pests and not native to North America. Accidentally transported around 1998 from east Asia to their first sighting of Allentown, PA, stink bugs made their way throughout the United States.

An Agricultural Nuisance

Stink bugs pose no harm to humans besides invading homes and businesses. Stink bugs look for places to hibernate in the cooler autumn and winter months.

You may notice a few on the outside of your home or lounging on your ceiling. Harmless in their inactivity, they cause real damage to vegetation – that includes fruits, vegetables, ornamental plants, and even weeds.

Once you spot them on your property, your first inclination may be to swat them like any other bug. You’ll quickly notice why they earned such a name. Once smashed, they expose an offensive smell like rotten meat that’s strong enough to fill up a room. Those who are sensitive to odors may develop a reaction to their smell.

Instead, use a vacuum to remove stink bugs safely. Once you scooped them up, throw away what you caught immediately to prevent the stink bugs’ odor from escaping. Dead stink bugs can still leave a residue inside the bag that can make your home smell rank.

To ensure they are gone, make an appointment to discuss your stink bug issue with control technicians like Seitz Bros. for a thorough inspection.

Stink Bug Prevention

Here are some simple ways to keep stink bugs out of your home or business:

Seal Cracks and Holes

Look around the outside of your home. Maybe some entry points look pretty inviting to stink bugs and other possible pests. Ensure you thoroughly inspect areas around siding and pipes that lead into your property. Take the time to seal any spaces and cracks that you find with a quality sealant.

Don’t Let Them Catch a Ride Indoors

Stink bugs may find a way into your home besides cracks and holes in your home or business. Pests may enter through your luggage, groceries, or anything you bring indoors. Inspect all items, such as boxes kept in storage, bags of fruits and vegetables. Stink bugs can travel on these items and make themselves at home once inside.

Repair Those Screen Windows and Doors

A nice breeze is probably not the only thing that gets into your property through those screens. They look lazy but stink bugs can enter the house through the tiniest opening in any given opportunity. Make sure you repair or replace damaged screens throughout your home and business. Don’t forget about areas under your door or spaces around your windowsills, chimney, and vents.

Put an End to Food and Water Sources

Most pests are attracted to food and water and stink bugs are no different. Removing access to food and water seems obvious. It doesn’t take much to entice pests into your living space. Keep food and garbage in airtight or sealed containers. Empty water dishes, fix leaks, sweep floors and wipe up spills immediately.

Contact Seitz Bros. for residential and commercial pest control when the summer turns to autumn. After a thorough inspection of the property’s indoor and outdoor areas to discover how stink bugs entered your home or business, we will provide you with a treatment plan tailored to your needs. We have provided quality pest control since 1975 and work with each customer to help keep their property free from annoying pests.
Rely on our experience and knowledge of controlling pests throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Call Seitz Bros. for a free quote.