What are Stink Bugs, and What Can You Do About Them?
Ah, the smell of spring! What a nice change from winter and all its snow. But wait… is that an unusual scent in the air? You might be smelling something you weren’t expecting: stink bugs. Despite their funny name, these nuisance pests are indeed standard, especially in warm climates. So what exactly are stink bugs, what problems can they cause for homeowners, and how do we stop them before they take over our outdoor spaces? Read on to find out more about these smelly pests.
What are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs, also known as shield bugs, are a type of agricultural pest that can cause extensive crop damage. Stink bugs are characterized by their brown bodies, triangular markings, and long antennae. They feed on over 300 plant species, including those in the bean, corn and tomato families.
Thanks to their tendency to reproduce rapidly and their resistance to pesticides, stink bugs remain a significant problem for many farmers worldwide. Their name comes from the pungent odour they emit when disturbed or crushed. While this smell is harmless to humans, it is an effective deterrent for predators.
Where do Stink Bugs Come From
Stink bugs have a long and fascinating history dating back to ancient China. They are so well-known to the Chinese that they feature in some folktales and mythology. Over the centuries, stink bugs spread throughout Asia, eventually making their way to America in 1998. They rapidly departed across North America and Hawaii, where they continue to live today. Interestingly enough, these same bugs have slowly been adapting to the lives they lead throughout global migrations, proving how resilient this pest can be!
How to Identify Stink Bugs
Stink bugs, otherwise known as shield bugs, have earned their distinctive name for a good reason – when disturbed or squashed, they emit an odour that bears more than a passing resemblance to the smell of a skunk. But you don’t need one’s nose to identify them from other bugs – their shield-shaped bodies with flattened heads and scutellum (the triangle-shaped area between the head and wings) can be easily spotted.
As if that weren’t enough to pinpoint them apart from other insects, they are usually either black or brown and measure up to 1/2 inch in length. So next time you run across one of these foul-smelling fellows, there’s no excuse to know precisely who it is!
Damage Stink Bugs can Cause
Stink bugs may not be physically threatening, but they cause a stink! These pests can infest gardens and orchards, causing considerable damage to their plants. The bad news is that stink bugs excel at adaptation, so you can expect them to develop resistance to insecticides sooner rather than later. To make matters worse, their trademark odour may linger on your clothes for days after encountering one of these wriggling critters!
What You Can do to Get Rid of Stink Bugs
If you have a stink bug infestation, the best possible solution is to call pest control services. Professional pest control experts not only have the knowledge and access to pest removal solutions that are more effective than what is available at home, but they will be able to give you personalized tips on how to prevent further infestations in the future.
Furthermore, pest control technicians can also spot a potential problem that may not be visible yet – this is important during treatment and prevents a pest problem from worsening. When done correctly, pest removal services are one of the most efficient solutions for stink bugs!
Final Words
All said and done, we can all agree that stink bugs are not the most pleasant of insects. But now that you know a little more about them, maybe you can appreciate them just a tiny bit…or not. If they’ve become a real problem for you and your family, contact us, and we will be happy to help you get rid of those pests for good!