The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug has become quite a problem in the Pennsylvania area. It wasn’t always so. These nasty little insects are native to China, Japan and Taiwan. They arrived unintentionally on storage containers from China in 1998. Since then, the stink bug population has flourished and now is on the list of local pest control companies. As the cooler weather sets in, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug will look for shelter in your homes and businesses. Stewart Termite & Pest Control will share some tips on how to prevent and control these smell little pests from becoming a problem in your homes.
How Do I Identify a Brown Marmorated Stink Bug?
The brown marmorated stink bug is about 0.67 inches long. They are a shield shape insect that comes in various shades of brown on both the top and undersides, with gray, off-white, black, copper, and bluish markings. The brown marmorated stink bug is more of an agricultural pest that affects produce and flowering plants. However during the time they mate or if the stink bug feels threatened in any way, they will release a nasty odor.
What Attracts Stink Bugs to Your House?
The brown marmorated stink bug is more likely to invade homes in the fall than others in the family of stink bugs. The bug survives the winter as an adult by entering houses and structures when autumn evenings become cooler, often in the thousands. In one home more than 26,000 stinkbugs were found over the winter. Adults can live from several months to a year. They will enter under siding as well as around window and door frames. They can come down chimneys, or any space which has openings big enough from them to fit through. Once inside the house, they will go into a state of hibernation. They wait for winter to pass. However, often the warmer temperatures inside the house can cause them to become active, and they may fly clumsily around light fixtures.
What Keeps Stink Bugs Away?
Your first step in stink bug control is prevention. Knowing the areas of how and where they can gain entry to your home is key. Make sure those areas are sealed. Doors with proper weather stripping, window screens with no cracks or holes in them will help immensely. Put a fine mesh material over your chimneys. For cracks and small openings you may come across, you can use a sealing foam or a silicone caulking glue. After you have surveyed and seal up your home, you can use pesticides. However some of the over the counter pesticides for stink bugs can lose their effectiveness with constant direct sunlight.
Stink Bug Pest Control
The brown marmorated stink bug can be a difficult insect to control. If you are having to battle these smelly little insects and are running out of luck removing them from your home, Stewart Termite & Pest Control is here to aid you in your pest battles. For more information or advice don’t hesitate to ask Stewart Termite & Pest Control for help. We are here for you.