Stink bugs create problems in homes and crops

Published: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 3:16 p.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 3:16 p.m.

They are like lady bugs; they fly around erratically, and they're harmless, but many people don't feel cute, fuzzy feelings toward them when they find them crawling on their home's wall or ceiling.

The brown marmorated stink bug has become an annual autumn occurrence for the past few years, and they aren't going anywhere for quite a while, said Cooperative Extension agent Scott Welborn.

"The stink bugs have been in the environment all summer long, but they've been coming in at night because it's getting colder," Welborn said.

This breed of stink bug is fairly new to the East Coast; the first detection of this insect was in 2009. The stink bug is originally from Asia, travelling across the sea in shipping containers. While North Carolina is not completely new to the world of stink bugs, having a native green stink bug for many years, the brown marmorated stink bug multiplies quicker, and as of today there is no known magic bullet for removing them out of homes.

Adult stink bugs may seek shelter inside houses and other buildings, although they do not bite people or pets, nor do they damage buildings, according to the United States Environment Protection Agency.

"Try to fill up any open spaces, such as door frames and windows, but they always seem to find a way in. They can fit through the smallest of openings," Welborn said.

There also seems to be some pesticides that work directly on the insects in the dwelling, but it does not prevent more from entering, said Andy Miller, director of Davidson County Soil & Water Conservation.

"Stink bugs are one of those things that are out there in nature, and depending on weather they are cyclical. Some years we have much greater numbers of them," Miller said.

In 2010, certain areas seemed to have a massive influx of the insects.

"The newer and tighter the house is sealed up, the less you will have," Welborn said. "The older homes have gaps everywhere, in the bottom of walls, in heating and air vents. Agriculture areas tend to have more stink bugs because there is a better food source; they can breed better and reproduce a lot faster."

The brown, shield-shaped stink bug cannot harm a home, only irritate its owners, but it can cause a lot of damage to crops. Welborn said the stink bug does not have a biting mouth but instead a sucking mechanism. While tree fruits are the primary crops of concern, this species has also been observed to feed successfully on numerous fruit and vegetable crops including apples, apricots, Asian pears, cherries, corn (field and sweet), grapes, lima beans, nectarines and peaches, peppers, tomatoes and soybeans, according to the U.S. EPA.

The problems come when homeowners attempt to rid their homes of the stink bug. If the insect is squished or even presented with a stressful environment, it will emit a strong odor used to deter attackers. Welborn suggested sucking up the insects with a vacuum cleaner but acknowledged that the household tool will smell of the stink bug odor for a while if it is used. Miller said an aerosol-type spray for the domestic breed of stink bugs can be used, but it is not a long-term solution due to the fact it is a chemical the homeowner will inhale until the house is aired out; it also does not prevent more stink bugs from entering once the pesticide clears.

Miller also suggests a soap and water solution. Water and dishwashing soap can be placed in a cup, which seems to attract the insect; they fly in the solution and drown. This way, the stink bug will not emit the odor, but it also doesn't prevent more from entering.

"They won't be around forever — just through the fall," Welborn said, noting that the insects hunker down for the winter but can't say if that means they leave the structure or just hide. "More than likely they will die because there is no food source in a house."

Management of the pests is about the best a homeowner can hope for.

"Even people that are in a pest control business will tell you they have no silver bullet for those things. Make sure your house is sealed, caulk around the windows and try to close any openings," Welborn said.



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