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What are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs feed on the sap of a wide variety of plants. When disturbed or crushed they produce an unpleasant odor, and this is where they get their common name. They can be a major agricultural pest, and are always a smelly and unwelcome intruder of homes.
Pest Stats
- Color: Mottled grayish-brown
- Legs: 6
- Shape: Triangular or shield
- Size: 3/4″ long
- Antennae: Yes
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What Do Stink Bugs Look Like?
Stink bugs are also sometimes referred to as “shield bugs” due to the distinctive shield-like shape of their bodies when viewed from a top-down angle. They have long, beak-like mouthparts that they use like a straw to suck sap from plants.
The immature bugs, or nymphs, have a less-defined shield shape, and are often a very different color from the adult bugs. Females lay their eggs in tight clusters on the surface of plants, and they appear as patches of small white dots.
Adult stink bugs are good fliers and fold their wings on top of their body when they land. Nymphs do not have fully developed wings. The wings appear when the nymph becomes an adult. Fully developed wings are a way to identify adult stink bugs.
Signs of an Infestation
Homeowners often first detect these pests by their mass invasions in the fall. Finding large numbers of live or dead stink bugs is a telltale sign of an infestation. They will turn up on sunny sides of homes where they warm themselves. Growers often detect an infestation by the damage they cause to their crops.
If an infestation has developed inside the home or building please call PMi and we will have one of our certified pest professionals inspect to determine the severity of the infestation and come up with a game plan to take care of this invasive species.
Stink Bug Infestation
Stink Bug Control and Prevention
To prevent stink bugs from entering homes and buildings, seal cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath the wood fascia and other openings. Typical entry points include around door and window frames, electrical outlets, light switches, ceiling fans, skylights and ceiling light fixtures. Use a good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Damaged screens on doors and windows should be repaired or replaced. Stink bugs are attracted to light, so change exterior lighting to less-attractive yellow bulbs or sodium vapor lights.
PMi can also pre-treat for these pests as part of our Quarterly Pest Control plan before they begin infiltrating homes via small entry points in the Fall.
Threats
They have the potential to spread throughout the country, which could be harmful to the agricultural industry, as they destroy crops.
Resources
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