As the temperatures drop, homeowners in New England may find an uninvited guest creeping in: stink bugs. These insects seek shelter inside homes during the fall, and if left unchecked, they can quickly become a problem. While they aren’t harmful to humans or poisonous to pets, their pungent odor and ability to invade in numbers make them unwelcome houseguests. Learn how to spot these pests, stop them from entering your home, and keep your home stink-free as the seasons change.

Types of Stink Bugs

There are thousands of stink bugs across the globe and more than 200 species in North America. When disturbed or crushed, stink bugs release an unpleasant odor from pores on the sides of their bodies. This is how the pest earned its name. So remember:

Stink bugs are sometimes called “shield bugs” because of the shape of their body. Most stink bugs are considered a nuisance pest, but one in particular is known to cause major damage to produce and crops – the brown marmorated stink bug.

What are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs?

Brown marmorated stink bugs have only been in the U.S. since 2001, when the first one was identified in Pennsylvania. Since then, this invasive pest has been identified in 47 states, including Massachusetts. It was even the centerpiece of a 2018 New Yorker article that chronicled the challenges homeowners faced getting rid of the bugs.

Since these pests aren’t native to the U.S., they don’t have any natural predators and can rapidly spread. In areas where they are established, they can do incredible damage to agriculture. In addition, they congregate in large numbers, especially on the sunny sides of homes in the late summer and autumn.

How to Identify a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

Stink Bug Prevention Tips

The same fall pest prevention tips that keep fall invaders like boxelder bugs and ants out of your home are also effective deterrents for stink bugs. Consider these proven tips:

• Seal off entry points
• Replace or repair window screens
• Replace weatherstripping around doors
• Reduce outdoor lighting or use less-attractive yellow bulbs
• Eliminate moisture around your home
• Keep branches and shrubs trimmed back from your home
• Work with a trusted pest control company like Ford’s Hometown Services to pre-treat the exterior of your home in the late summer or fall

Stink Bug Control Tips

If you spot a stink bug inside, remember: don’t squash it! This will release its foul smell. Instead, gently remove it. Use a tissue or paper towel to pick up the bug and place it outside.

If you spot numerous stink bugs, it’s best to call in the professionals. Since harming stink bugs can release their order and attract other stink bugs, DIY approaches can be risky.