Uh Oh, Stink Bugs Are Invading

The brown marmorated stink bug (sometimes called BMSB for short) is continuing to spread around the country and cause increasing problems. These stink bugs have a pungent unpleasant, cilantro-like odor. First found in Pennsylvania in the late 1990’s, it has now spread to at least 43 states including Florida.

The BMSB is one of many species of stink bugs we have, but most of these don’t invade homes and other buildings in the fall. The BMSB congregates in large numbers in late summer, and as temperatures cool and day lengths shorten, in September and October, they are more likely to move indoors. Favored over wintering places in nature include rocky outcroppings and standing dead trees with loose, thick bark. A building with cracks and void areas to invade are perfect for them, and they may invade in large numbers.

These stink bugs hibernate indoors, but they often become active and cause problems on warmer days throughout the winter. Then anytime from March to May they emerge from hibernation and will try to exit the building. Many become trapped indoors, leaving their dead bodies all over.

Besides their stink, these bugs will buzz around light fixtures on warmer winter evenings, plus they leave spots that can stain curtains and other surfaces. When crushed the BMSB excretes chemicals that can irritate skin. Besides all these problems, a small percentage of people have an allergic reaction to large numbers of them indoors.

Call us to treat for this pest, and other fall invaders, in late summer or early fall before they come indoors.