Stink Bugs: The Basics On This Smelly Pest

Do you have them? Is one crawling across the top of your monitor while you read this? Why are you putting up with them? They aren't inevitable. You don't have to live with them. But you say, "every time I try to vacuum or sweep them up, they just start stinking." It's true. If you squish or scare a stink bug, it will secrete an odorous fluid from its abdomen. And, yes, that fluid can stain fabrics. But that doesn't mean you should give in, and let them crawl everywhere they please. This is your house, not theirs.

So, what can you do about those stink bugs? Knowledge is power. To beat the stink bug, you have to first understand the stink bug.

The brown marmorated stink bug is an agricultural pest, native to asia, and first introduced to America in the late 1990s. Because it has no natural predators in the United States, their numbers can get quite high. That is why there are so many of them crawling around on your exterior walls. But why are they on your walls in the first place? The simple answer is: winter is coming. Stink bugs would rather be out in the fields, driving the farmers crazy, but when it starts to get cold, they begin to look for a place to overwinter. Your nice toasty house is ideal. You can have stink bugs crawling around your house any time of the year, but fall is when they infest homes. That is why it is smart to protect your home before they start coming.

• Screens are your first defense against stink bugs. Check all your door and window screens to make sure you have no holes or rips. If you have vents, cover those vents with window grade screening as well.

• Check all your weather stripping, especially on sliding doors. The weather stripping should allow no gaps. If you have gaps, your screen door may not be on properly. It should fit fully inside the track at the top, and sit on the lip of the track on the floor. If your weather stripping is worn or frayed, get it replaced. This is a common entry point for stink bugs.

• Inspect your door sweeps. If you see any gaps, you can know for certain the stink bugs are using those holes.

Once you have all the holes sealed, you'll still have stink bugs hanging out on your exterior walls. This is unsightly. And, if they are hanging out right near your door, they'll just fly in when you enter or exit your home. Consider getting your exterior walls, or perimeter sprayed. This will keep stink bugs from hanging out, and give you added protection from unwanted infiltration. You don't have to put up with those stink bugs. Get bug-proof today.