Stink bugs are a common nuisance pest in our area. They bring with them an unpleasant odor and sometimes hundreds of friends. Every year, Chicago IL residents are reporting more and more of them making their way into their homes. So, what exactly are these insects, and why are they so insistent on making their way into our homes? Better yet, what can we do about it?
What is a Marmorated Stink Bug?
There is a list of species of stinkbugs that are native to the United States, but the brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species, currently going unchecked by predators. It was brought to our continent accidentally in the 1990s from East Asian cargo ships and introduced to North American soil for the first time in Pennsylvania. Since then, brown marmorated stink bugs have spread across the nation and are projected to populate the entire continent soon.
You can identify brown marmorated stink bugs by their pentagonal, “shield” shaped bodies, their brown coloration with interspersed markings of white, black, and varying shades of brown, and white-striped antennae. They are usually slightly longer than a half-inch at full size.
What Do Marmorated Stink Bugs Do?
Marmorated stink bugs are harmless to people and animals, but their odorous defense mechanism can be quite unpleasant. They dispel a pungent gas from their scent glands to ward off potential predators, which could be you if you try to handle or crush the bug.
If you’ve found stink bugs in your home, they’re probably after your produce or your decorative plants. They are known to ruin agricultural yields by extracting nutrients from plants. What’s more, where you find one stink bug, you’re likely to find hundreds or even thousands of others. Brown marmorated stink bugs travel in increasing numbers due to the ease of proliferation that their newfound predator-free environment affords them.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Chicago IL
During the fall, brown marmorated stink bugs will seek warmth and shelter in countless homes around Chicago IL. Like many other pests, they find their way into homes through torn screens, gaps around entryways, and ventilation systems. Caulking or repairing potential points of entry will reduce your risk of future infestations. If you have a small stink bug issue at home, you can use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of active stink bugs yourself.
That being said, we know how quickly a small stink bug issue can explode into a full-blown infestation. At this point, it can be very difficult to get rid of them on your own, and you’ll need to locate the source of the infestation to protect your home going forward. The extermination experts at Anderson Pest Solutions can eliminate active marmorated stink bugs in your home and help you prevent future outbreaks through our holistic inspection processes. Contact us today for a free quote!
