Stink bugs are insects belonging to the family Pentatomidae. They are known for their distinctive shape that is shield-like and the foul odor they emit when disturbed. Stink bugs can be agricultural pests, causing damage to a variety of crops by feeding on plant juices. These insects have piercing-sucking mouthparts that they use to suck sap from plants, leading to various forms of injury to fruits, vegetables, and other crops. Some common species include the green stink bug, brown stink bug, and brown marmorated stink bug, each with unique characteristics and impacts on agriculture. In this guide, you will learn an assortment of facts pertaining to the Stink bug – including whether or not they survive the winter months.
Do Stink Bugs Live Through Winter?
Yes, stink bugs do – in fact – live through winter. These insects go into a state known as “diapause”. This state is similar to hibernation. When in this state, the stink bug is inactive, but alive. They will gather in shelters that provide them with an additional layer of heat and security – such as leaf piles, logs that are hollowed out, and other types of materials that are insulative in nature until the arrival of spring.
Oftentimes, the insects will make their way into your home to search for quiet and protective locations for diapause – such as your basement or your attic. Stink bugs fare well in summer, but as the weather gets colder, they’re looking for a place to stay. If indoors, where there is warmth the stink bug may remain active throughout the winter months. They are capable of entering the home through cracks, by the means of a door and/or a window, and through vents. In most instances, they will hide in dark, secluded locations within your home; however, if they are in search of warmth, you may find them moving around in your home. They’ve entered in droves in Indiana.
What Do Stink Bugs Look Like?
Stink bugs vary in appearance depending on the species, but they generally have a shield-shaped body. Here are some specific descriptions:
Green Stink Bug (Acrosternum hilare):
Adults: Green with black bands on antennae; pointed spine on the underside of the abdomen.
Nymphs: Early instars are mostly black with orange markings; later instars have a mostly black or green head and thorax with a green abdomen and dark spots.
Southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula):
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Adults: Green with red bands on antennae; rounded spine on the underside of the abdomen.
Nymphs: Early instars are dark brown; later instars are green with white spots on the abdomen and pink-red markings around the outer edge.
Brown Stink Bug (Euschistus servus):
Adults: Solid mottled brown with rounded shoulders.
Nymphs: Early instars have a dark brown head and pronotum with a light brown abdomen; later instars are green-brown to yellow-brown with light brown spots.
Dusky Stink Bug (Euschistus tristigmus):
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Adults: Similar to the brown stink bug but with pointed shoulders and light-colored underside with dark spots.
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (Halyomorpha halys):
Adults: Speckled brown-gray with white bands on the next to last antennal segment and dark and white bands around the outer edges of the abdomen.
Nymphs: Early instars have a dark head and pronotum with an orange and red abdomen; later instars have a mostly black head and pronotum with a rust-colored abdomen and black spots.
Rice Stink Bug (Oebalus pugnax):
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Adults: Tan with a narrow body and forward-pointing spines on the shoulders; yellow scutellum.
Nymphs: White to brown head and thorax with a light-colored abdomen and red speckles.
Redshouldered Stink Bug (Thyanta accerra):
Adults: Green with a red-pink stripe across the pronotum and a red-pink tip on the scutellum; no spine on the underside of the abdomen.
Nymphs: Mostly white with dark red to black spots on the thorax and black and red-orange stripes on the abdomen.
These descriptions highlight the diversity in color, markings, and body shapes among different stink bug species.
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous to Humans?
Stink bugs are not dangerous to humans. They do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. However, they can be a nuisance due to their tendency to invade homes, especially during the winter months when they are seeking shelters that are warm. Additionally, when disturbed or crushed, stink bugs release a foul-smelling odor, which can be unpleasant. Their primary impact is on agriculture, where they can cause significant damage to crops.
What Crops Do Stink Bugs Hurt?
Stink bugs can damage a variety of crops, including:
- Cotton: External boll injury characterized by small round shallow purple-black depressions and internal injury such as yellow, tan, or brown stained lint.
- Cabbage: Feeding causes yellow or white blotches on leaves, leading to wilting, browning, or plant death.
- Corn: Feeding on ears results in loss of kernels and cob deformation; feeding on stalks appears as brown spots.
- Peaches: Causes “cat facing,” which is characterized by deformed fruit.
- Apples: Early-season feeding results in dimples or depressed areas; internal injury appears as white, pithy areas that turn brown.
- Tomatoes: Feeding results in minute puncture marks surrounded by a yellow halo; injury to ripe tomatoes appears as pithy or white to yellow corky areas.
- Soybeans: Feeding can result in flattened pods and small brown or black spots on seeds, leading to deformed, undersized, discolored, or shriveled seeds.
These damages can significantly affect the yield and quality of the crops, impacting agricultural productivity and economic value.
How Do I Keep Stink Bugs from Getting into My Home?
To keep stink bugs from getting into your home, you can take the following preventive measures:
- Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any cracks, gaps, or holes, especially around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, and chimneys. Use caulk or weatherstripping to seal these entry points.
- Install Screens: Ensure that all windows, doors, and vents have tight-fitting screens. Repair or replace any damaged screens.
- Use Door Sweeps: Install door sweeps on exterior doors to stop these bugs from crawling underneath.
- Turn Off Lights: Stink bugs are attracted to light. Minimize the use of outdoor lighting or switch to yellow bulbs, which do not attract the insects.
- Remove Food Sources: Keep your home free of food debris and store food in sealed containers. Clean up spills and crumbs promptly.
- Reduce Moisture: Fix any leaks and reduce moisture in and around your home, as stink bugs are attracted to damp areas.
- Use Natural Repellents: Consider using natural repellents like essential oils (e.g., mint, neem, or garlic) around entry points.
- Vacuum Regularly: If these insects do get in your home, utilize a vacuum cleaner to get rid of them. Immediately get rid of the of the vacuum bag to stop the odor from the insects from spreading.
By taking these steps, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of stink bugs entering your home.
What are the Best Natural Repellants for Stink Bugs?
Natural repellents for stink bugs include:
- Essential Oils: Certain essential oils are effective at repelling stink bugs. These include:
- Mint Oil: Mix with water and spray around entry points.
- Neem Oil: Can be used as a spray to deter stink bugs.
- Garlic Oil: The strong smell can repel stink bugs when sprayed around windows and doors.
- Diatomaceous Earth: This natural powder can be sprinkled around entry points. It dehydrates and kills stink bugs upon contact.
- Soap and Water Mix: A mixture of any type of dish soap and some water can be sprayed on a stink bug to eliminate them and can also be used around entry points as a deterrent.
- Catnip: Planting catnip around your home or using catnip essential oil can help repel stink bugs.
- Garlic Spray: Crush garlic cloves and mix with water to create a spray that can be applied around potential entry points.
Using these natural repellents can help keep stink bugs at bay without the use of harsh chemicals.
What Happens if Stink Bugs Get in My House?
If stink bugs get into your house, several things can happen:
- Unpleasant Odor: When disturbed or crushed, stink bugs release a foul-smelling odor as a defense mechanism, which can be unpleasant and difficult to remove.
- Nuisance: Stink bugs do not bite or cause structural damage, but they can be a significant nuisance due to their large numbers and tendency to congregate in warm areas.
- Damage to Plants: If you have indoor plants, stink bugs may feed on them, causing damage to leaves, stems, and fruit.
- Allergic Reactions: In rare cases, some people may experience mild allergic reactions to stink bugs, such as skin irritation or respiratory issues.
- Attraction to Light: Stink bugs are attracted to light and may gather around windows, lamps, and other light sources, making them more noticeable and bothersome.
To manage stink bugs in your home, consider using the pest control methods mentioned earlier, such as sealing entry points, vacuuming, and using natural repellents. If the infestation is severe, professional pest control services can provide effective solutions.
Contact Us
If you have seen stink bugs in or around your home, you may contact us today here at All Pest to set up an appointment. We will come out, confirm you have an infestation of stink bugs, and eliminate the problem. We will also provide you with some pointers on how to avoid the issue from reoccurring. Call us today at: 765-259-0043
