What Do Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Look Like?
Adult born marmorated stink bugs are almost the same length as they are wide, about 2 cm in both directions. They are brown in color, with darker bands of color on their wings, and lighter bands on their antennae. The adult stink bug legs extend out from either side, which makes them look bigger than they are. When a stink bug nymph first hatches, they are extremely tiny. They go through a growing and molting process and shed their skin five times as they outgrow it. After their fifth molt, the nymphs are almost the same size as an adult, but they do not get their wings until they are adults.
Why Do Stink Bugs Enter Homes And Businesses?
Stink bugs like to avoid the cold weather and will seek out shelter to wait it out until spring. They come inside through openings around windows and doors, cracks in the foundation, chimneys or soffits, or through gable vents. They don’t need large openings, so chances are your home or business has an entrance they can crawl through. In the spring as the temperatures increase, you’ll find them gathered near windows looking for a way out.
What Do Stink Bugs Eat?
Stink bugs are primarily plant eaters. Young stink bugs eat weeds and grass until they become full-grown brown marmorated stink bugs and migrate into orchards or even residential landscaping. Stink bugs will eat fruit and vegetables including apples, berries, beans, peaches, pecans, and peppers. If stink bugs are indoors, they can be found feeding on indoor plants or fruit that is left accessible. They eat the stems and plant leaves.
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous?
Stink bugs do not pose a threat to humans and don’t damage structures, but they do release a strong odor when you vacuum or squish them, which can quickly become a nuisance. While stink bugs don’t bite or sting, they do present problems to orchards and crops. When they eat fruit, they bite the fruit and release their toxic saliva into the cells of the fruit. The fruit will continue to grow with a scar. When stink bugs eat the leaves and stems of plants, it allows other insects to get inside the plants to create further damage – and stink bugs can also spread diseases from plant to plant.
Will Innovative Pest Control Eliminate Stink Bugs?
If you only have a few stink bugs here and there, chances are you can handle getting rid of them on your own. Afterward, you should take steps to seal your home to prevent future stink bug infestations. On the other hand, if your house seems to be overrun with these unsightly pests, you may need to invest in the professional pest control services of Innovative Pest Control to eliminate the stink bugs from your Tyler or East Texas home or business.
Stink Bug Prevention Tips
To eliminate stink bugs, we recommend the following prevention tips:
- First, perform an exterior inspection for any openings, cracks, or holes that might allow stink bugs to get inside and seal them with caulk.
- Check your window and door screens for rips or tears and repair any that you find or replace them with new screens.
- Examine your exterior doors for gaps that could function as an entry point for stink bugs and install door sweeps to help keep them out.
- When you find stink bugs in your home, use a vacuum to eliminate them and immediately get rid of the vacuum bag to prevent the unwanted stink bug odor from releasing into your home. If you have more stink bugs than you can handle, call Innovative Pest Control for help!