Description
The brown marmorated stink bug is a new pest to North America, introduced into Pennsylvania first in 1996 from Asia and it has quickly spread throughout the US, becoming a problem for home and business owner’s alike. These bugs are shaped like small shields, approximately 1/2 an inch to 3/4 of an inch long. They are usually a mottled brown or gray in color with antennae that have alternating white and brown stripes. They can also be recognized by the pungent odor they release when startled or crushed; this is their defense mechanism and has been compared to the smell of rotting vegetables or cilantro.
Importance
Brown marmorated stink bugs will seek shelter from the outside weather in the fall by entering homes and businesses in large numbers, which can cause quite a nuisance for property owners. They enter through cracks and crevices in a structure’s exterior and will huddle along window sills and any warm place they can find that may offer sunlight. They are also an agricultural pest, feeding on the fruits in an orchard, on vegetables and ornamental plants.
Stink bugs do not pose a threat to humans, but they can be very annoying to property owners when they congregate in large numbers. These pests will not reproduce inside structures, but they become a nuisance when they enter structures during autumn and leave in the spring. When crushed or vacuumed up, their stinky odor can be very obvious.
Control Methods
Stink bugs cannot be completely eradicated from the outside of your property. Our pest control specialists will create a very specific plan that will suit your property.
Controlling brown marmorated stink bugs using do-it-yourself methods has not proved to be effective in most situations. Using treatments that may contain pesticides can be harmful to people and pets if they are applied improperly or not mixed exactly right. DIY pest control may also be very short lived, requiring more applications in the future.
Controlling stink bugs is a difficult task and while some exclusion techniques like sealing cracks and gaps around doors, windows and your foundation may be helpful, it may not completely deter these annoying bugs. If stink bugs have entered your home or business, contact Guardian Pest Solutions at your earliest convenience to prevent a much larger stink bug problem in the future.
