The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive agricultural and household insect pest that was first discovered in the United States during the 1990s. This insect species is becoming well known to residents of New York state due to its abundance in the northeast where hundreds, or even thousands of specimens have been counted within heavily infested homes. Those who have not had the displeasure of encountering these bugs will find them hard to miss due to their brown shielded bodies that are relatively large at around one inch in length. If the brown marmorated stink bug cannot be identified visually, it can certainly be identified by the foul smelling odor that the pests secrete when they become disturbed, threatened or crushed. It is not uncommon for infested homes to become saturated with the odor of this insect’s defensive secretion, which most experienced people agree is far from pleasant.
While the brown marmorated stink bug does not bite humans or spread disease, several studies have confirmed that some individuals experience allergic reactions when exposed to these pests, especially within homes. Serious allergic reactions, such as anaphylactic shock, have not been reported in any individuals who have experienced allergy symptoms in response to the indoor presence of these insects. These bugs are a nuisance to residents due to the high number of specimens that invade homes in groups. Brown marmorated stink bugs also fly into homes where they tend to hover around lights, and it is not uncommon for residents to witness these bugs swarming around porch lights and street lights en masse. Because of this particular attraction, keeping all unnecessary outside lights off can help prevent invasive stink bug issues around homes. Despite their bulky bodies, brown marmorated stink bugs have adapted an ability to squeeze through extremely narrow crevices, which enable the pests to enter homes through foundation cracks, and infestations can become hard to eradicate when the bugs manage to congregate within wall voids, attic spaces and beneath baseboards. Now that September has arrived many residents will soon be struggling to keep these pests from attempting to overwinter within their homes, but keeping a home well-sealed will help to prevent infestations.
Have you ever smelled the odor secreted by brown marmorated stink bugs?
