The stink bug’s mouthparts are grouped in the piercing/sucking category, but they do not use blood as a food source like mosquitoes, biting flies and bed bugs. They do not cause structural damage or spread disease.ĭo stink bugs bite? No, stink bugs cannot sting and are not likely to bite, but care should be exercised when handling them, to deter these pests from releasing their well-known and unpleasant odor. A stink bug infestation can damage ornamental plants, fruit trees, and gardens, but they are more of a nuisance than a threat to people. Stink bugs have become established in many areas of the country, posing a particular threat to the agricultural industry, since they destroy crops. Since America is not where stink bugs originally come from, they do not have any natural predators here and can therefore rapidly spread. Native to Asia, stink bugs were accidentally introduced into the United States sometime during the late 1990s. Fully developed wings are a way to identify adult stink bugs - if they can fly, they are adults. The wings appear when the nymph becomes an adult. Nymphs do not have fully developed wings. Do Stink Bugs Fly?Ĭan stink bugs fly? Yes! Adult stink bugs are good fliers and fold their wings on top of their body when they land. This smell can linger for hours so, if possible, try to avoid crushing stink bugs or carefully sweep or vacuum them up if they have entered your house. Interestingly, the composition of the odor is comprised of chemicals commonly used as food additives and is present in cilantro. The smell has often been compared to strong herbs and spices like cilantro and coriander. Some species can actually spray the chemical several inches. The stink bugs produce the smelly chemical in a gland on their abdomen. It is thought that this odor helps protect the bugs against predators. Stink bugs get their name from the unpleasant odor they produce when they are threatened. A professional can also pre-treat for stink bugs in the late summer or fall just prior to bug congregation. If an infestation has developed inside the home or building, a licensed pest control professional should be called to evaluate and assess the problem. Since harming sting bugs can release their odor and attract other stink bugs, it’s best to avoid a DIY approach to removal. After stink bugs have entered the structure, it is best to isolate the affected room or rooms by sealing the bugs out. The bag must be discarded to prevent odor from permeating the area. If you need to know how to get rid of stink bugs that have already entered a home or building, a vacuum cleaner can aid in the removal of live or dead stink bugs. Stink bugs are attracted to light, so change exterior lighting to less-attractive yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced. Use a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. If you’re wondering where do stink bugs come from, typical entry points include around door and window frames, electrical outlets, light switches, ceiling fans, skylights and ceiling light fixtures. Strategies include sealing cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings. Homeowners can take several steps to prevent a stink bug infestation in their home. Read on to learn about stink bugs, including information on identifying a stink bug infestation, and how to get rid of them. Today, brown marmorated stink bugs are most prevalent in the mid-Atlanta region, but they have been identified in 44 states and the District of Columbia. They quickly spread east to New Jersey, then Virginia by 2004, and now southward to the North Carolina border. Stink bugs were first collected in the United States in Allentown, PA in the fall of 1996, but apparently not recognized or identified until September 2001. They are also referred to as the yellow-brown or East Asian stink bug. Their native range includes China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. So where do stink bugs come from? They were first introduced to the United States from Eastern Asia in the mid-1990s. Stink bugs are considered an invasive species, meaning a pest of foreign origin. Additionally, stink bugs can fly and are pretty good at it! Many other insects have these same characteristics, including some species of ants, beetles and other bugs, but you can recognize a stink bug via its distinctive shape, with a flatter top leading toward a pointed bottom, reminiscent of a shield. The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) earned its name from its tendency to release an odor when disturbed or when crushed. What are Stink Bugs and Where Do They Come From?
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