How Strong is the Odor from a Stink Bug?

By Jane Meggitt

Hemera Technologies/ Images

Not only is the brown marmorated stink bug an invasive species and an agricultural pest, he might also invade your home to escape cold weather. While stink bugs hibernate in the winter, in the springtime you'll find them trying to get back outside. If you've ever stepped on or otherwise smashed a stink bug, you know how they came by their name.

Why They Stink

Stink bugs don't have the ability to sting or bite their predators, but they can release a smelly chemical produced in an abdominal gland to repel larger insects that want to eat them. While stink bugs don't usually release that odor unless disturbed, it can happen.

Avoiding the Stink

If you find a few stink bugs in your home, catch them and put them outside. If you've got a lot of stink bugs indoors, call an exterminator. Just don't crush them if you want to avoid the stink bug olfactory experience. The smell can be described as a cross between old gym socks and mild skunk. While it's strongest right after the bug is crushed, it can linger in the air for hours afterward.

Photo Credits

  • Hemera Technologies/ Images



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