Michigan homeowners are on high alert this fall as an army of stink bugs begin creeping into homes across the state.
With temperatures dropping and winter looming, these smelly invaders are seeking out warmth, and many are finding it behind people’s walls, curtains, and window sills.
Stink bugs get in through tiny crevices and typically in the winter season (stock image)[/caption]
Stink bugs release a putrid smell (stock image)[/caption]
The brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species from Asia, is back in full force, as reported by CBS news affiliate WWMT.
The EPA noted the bug has been found in 38 states, though it is most concentrated in the Mid-Atlantic region.
Once temperatures fall, these insects look for a place to make shelter, and infestations tend to spike between September and November.
Experts told WWMT that Michigan’s mild and extended fall weather has given stink bugs extra time to breed and multiply, meaning this season’s invasion could be worse than usual.
“Lay down that protective barrier around doors, windows, foundation lines, roof line, and along the soffits,” pest control specialist Tony Sorrentino told WWMT.
The species first arrived in the United States in the mid-1990s and has since spread rapidly across nearly every state.
They are known for their distinctive shield-shaped bodies and putrid odor when crushed, according to the EPA.
Once inside a home, they can remain dormant through the winter only to reappear again in spring.
The invasion usually begins with just a few bugs clinging to the outside of homes, but once they find an opening, it can quickly turn into a full-blown infestation.
According to WWMT, one of the better ways to keep stink bugs out of your house is to look for any gaps or openings, no matter how small, that they could slip through and seal them up.
It’s also recommended to spray areas where the bugs are most likely to populate.
“Lay down that protective barrier around doors, windows, and the foundation line,” Sorrentino told WWMT.
Common entry points include rooflines, soffits, chimneys, attic vents, and spaces around air conditioning units.
AGRICULTURAL THREAT AND IMPACT
The stink bug, according to the EPA, is a serious agricultural pest. It feeds on more than 170 plant species, including apples, peaches, beans, corn, soybeans, grapes, and more.
Prevention strategies for stink bugs
- Seal every crack: Use caulk or weather-stripping around windows, doors, vents, and foundation gaps. Even the tiniest openings can let stink bugs slip inside.
- Check rooflines and attics: Inspect soffits, chimneys, and attic vents, these are favorite entry points for the bugs looking to overwinter.
- Switch your lights: Stink bugs are drawn to bright white lights. Replace outdoor bulbs with yellow “bug lights” or keep lighting to a minimum at night.
- Screen it out: Repair torn window screens and cover vents or chimneys with fine mesh to block entry.
- Clear the perimeter: Trim back shrubs and trees touching your home and remove leaf piles or debris that create perfect hiding spots.
- Spray a barrier: Apply a perimeter treatment or insect barrier around doors and windows in early fall for extra protection.
- Skip the squash: Never crush them indoors, their odor will linger. Instead, vacuum them up and empty the bag outside immediately.
- Act early: Experts say prevention is key, once they’re inside, you’re stuck with them until spring.
In crops, feeding damage includes dents, scarring, and deformation of fruit.
In corn and soybeans, they pierce pods or kernels, causing shriveling or internal damage not always visible immediately.
In Oregon in 2022, the population surged to a record high, prompting warnings of serious crop damage in the fruit and vegetable sectors, according to Oregon State University.
USDA estimates that crops at risk where stink bugs are established exceed $20 billion in value.
REMOVAL OPTIONS
Vacuuming is often the most practical method for getting rid of pesky insects.
Some homeowners dedicate a vacuum for stink bug removal because the odor lingers, so those who go this route should use a bag and dispose of it as soon as they can, as reported by UC IPM.
To reduce odor, you can insert a cut-off nylon stocking inside the vacuum hose; bugs will be trapped in the stocking rather than the bag.
Homeowners can also make a DIY trap to catch stink bugs by placing a foil pan with soapy water under a light in a dark room. Bugs attracted to the light will fall into the water and drown.
