What’s that Smell? It’s the Stink Bug

Many people in Wisconsin have noticed an uptick in the amount of stink bugs around their homes over the past several years. They have been swarming our properties by the hundreds for years, but it seems that their numbers only continue to grow. So, what exactly are these pests, why is this happening, and what can we do about it? Keep reading for answers informed by the experts at Batzner Pest Control.

What are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs?

Some stink bug varieties are native to the United States, but the brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species from Eastern Asia. It was accidentally introduced to our environment after being brought over by cargo ships. The brown marmorated stink bug was first noticed in Pennsylvania in the 1990s but has since spread to most of the continental United States. Given that it has barely any natural predators here, it is projected to spread across our entire continent soon.

Brown marmorated stink bugs can be told apart from other stink bugs by their brown coloration with scattered markings of white, black, and different shades of brown, as well as their white-striped antennae. They have a shield-shaped body and are usually a little over half an inch long.

Are Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs Harmful?

Brown marmorated stink bugs are not dangerous to have around, but they’re called stink bugs for a reason. As a method of defense, they release a pungent gas from their scent glands to keep predators away. You can trigger them by trying to grab or crush them.

Stink bugs in your home are probably looking for your produce or your plants. They are a notorious agricultural pest; they feed by extracting nutrients from plants. When one brown marmorated stink bug is nearby, hundreds or even thousands of others could be present as well. This newfound environment free of predators here in the United States allows for rising numbers of stink bugs.

How to Prevent Stink Bugs in Wisconsin

Brown marmorated stink bugs will try to find their way into our homes in Wisconsin this fall. They often sneak in through ventilation systems, gaps by doors and windows, and torn screens. Caulking or sealing potential entry points will help to keep infestations from happening. You can use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of an already existing stink bug problem.

That being said, we know that a few stink bugs in the house can quickly lead to a huge problem. It can be a hassle to get rid of a small infestation, let alone hundreds of stink bugs. If you need help removing brown marmorated stink bugs from your home, the residential pest experts at Batzner Pest Control can remove current infestations and take preventative measures to ensure that they never return. For a free quote, reach out today!