Ladybugs aren't all ladies. Butterflies aren't made of butter. So do stink bugs really stink?
Stink bugs seem to have gotten pretty unlucky when it came time to hand out names. Do they really stink, as their name suggests, or have they just been named unfairly?
What Do Stink Bugs Look Like?
I'm sure you've seen these creatures all around Central Virginia. In fact, we have several different varieties of stink bugs (thirty-six, in fact!) and a few of them have become significant pests for homeowners in the area. Some of the more common varieties are the brown marmorated (BMSB), the brown stink bug, the green stink bug, and the harlequin bug. Though the coloration changes with variety, stink bugs all have the same shape. They have what looks like a five-sided shield on their back, 6 legs, and 2 antennae near the top of their head. Depending on the variety and age, stink bugs can be almost any color, ranging from red, orange, brown, green, and various multicolors.
Stink bugs release chemicals to call other stink bugs to the area. They generally become active in the springtime and can do a lot of damage to your plants, gardens and other vegetation. Once temperatures start to drop in the late summer and autumn, they will seek shelter inside your home with more tenacity.
Do Stink Bugs Actually Stink?
While it might not always be true with insect names, these bugs absolutely live up to their moniker. Stink bugs will produce a foul-smelling odor when they are threatened or disturbed, likely as a protection from predators. They have a scent gland on their abdomen that releases chemicals, and some can even spray the chemicals away from their bodies for several inches. The smell can last for hours, even all day, especially if you get it on your clothes or carpets. Killing or vacuuming stink bugs can release the scent, making it difficult to know what to do with these bugs if you find them in your home.
If you find yourself in a situation with the stinky chemicals on your skin, wash with normal hand soap. Don't get discouraged if it doesn't come off right away, it will likely take several washes for the scent to fade. For affected fabrics in your home, you can try using vinegar and water to eliminate the odor.
How Do I Get Rid of Stink Bugs?
Killing stink bugs without paying a smelly price can be tricky, and they are difficult to eliminate once they establish themselves. The best thing to do is to keep them out in the first place. Beginning professional pest control in the early spring is the most effective preventative tool you have. Because they are difficult to kill as adults, insecticide is most effective when stink bugs are nymphs. Be sure that your pest control company uses pesticide with long-lasting residual, as this is the best way to eliminate both nymph and adult populations. Over-the-counter insect sprays will likely be ineffective in treating them yourself, as the residual will not last long enough to have an impact on the stink bug.
Make sure that cracks are sealed and windows and doors shut tightly to disallow them from seeking shelter in the warmth of your home.
Call us today with any questions we can answer for you! We'd love to help.
For learn more about the insects in Central Virginia, check out our pest library
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