Stink bugs try to find warm home for the winter

JACKSON, Mo. – Brown marmorated stink bugs are a stinking pest that move inside to houses and other buildings, seeking shelter from cooler weather, says University of Missouri Extension agronomist Anthony Ohmes.

Brown marmorated stink bugs (BMSB) are native to Asia. They are notorious hitchhikers and were accidentally introduced into the U.S. in the 1990s.

Numbers in southeastern Missouri have continued to increase. BMSBs are brown, have shield-shaped bodies and brown-white banding on antennae and abdominal edge. As their name implies, they release a strong, unpleasant odor when disturbed.

They are agronomic pests during the growing season. BMSB is the only species of stink bug in which adults seek structures for overwintering. They do not lay eggs nor feed during the winter. They are a nasty annoyance indoors but are otherwise harmless to pets and humans.

An ounce of prevention is the best medicine for keeping stink bugs and other insect pests such as the multicolored Asian lady beetle at bay, Ohmes says. Identify and seal openings around structures, ideally before they enter, he says.

“Over the next few weeks, it is critical to ensure your home is properly sealed to avoid insect roommates this fall,” says MU Extension urban entomologist Emily Althoff.

Overwintering insects are more of a nuisance than anything else, says Althoff, but to avoid unwanted company, seal cracks and entry points in your home with caulk or weather stripping. Pay attention to windows, doors and gaps around pipes and electrical outlets. Door sweeps improve heat efficiency as well as providing a barrier to insects.

Althoff also recommends trimming back vegetation around the outside of your home and cleaning up yard waste to reduce hiding spots for insects.

Put screens over windows, doors and vents. Caulk cracks in windows and door frames. Take special care when removing window air conditioner units.

Insecticide foggers will not kill stink bugs inside. Remove live and dead stink bugs from indoor areas with a vacuum cleaner. Your cleaner may take on an odor from bugs letting off their smell when disturbed. Ohmes recommends using a shop canister vacuum instead of an indoor home vacuum.

Find more information on brown marmorated stink bugs at Stop BMSB, or go to MU’s Integrated Pest Management website.

Photo

Brown marmorated stink bug. Photo by Susan Ellis, Bugwood.org. Shared under a Creative Commons license (CC BY 3.0).