Stink Bug Identification & Prevention

Stink bugs are shield-shaped insects that have developed a unique self-defense strategy. When they are frightened, harassed, or crushed, they emit a strong and unpleasant odor that makes them undesirable to eat. This smell can fill your entire house if you have a stink bug invasion, so it is important to keep these pests outside where they belong, even though they are not harmful. 

Stink bugs in Plymouth are not dangerous. They are considered nuisance pests because they cannot sting, bite, or scratch you, and they do not spread disease. They also don't do any lasting property damage to speak of, but this doesn't mean you want to roll out the red carpet. Stink bugs can still leave your home smelling of a putrid aromatic stench that lingers, often for days or weeks.

Most often, stink bugs come into your house because it is a warm place to ride out the winter. Stink bugs invade your home at the end of fall and go dormant throughout the winter. This is why it's most common to get a stink bug problem in the spring. When these bugs come out of their winter hibernation, they start hunting for a way back outside. Often, this leads to them wandering all over your house because they cannot figure out how to get back outdoors.

Stink bugs in Massachusetts are adapted to hide in cracks and crevices throughout the winter to keep warm and also avoid becoming dinner. When one stink bug finds a good place to bed down, it will send out a pheromone that attracts other stink bugs. You probably won't find them when they're hiding for the winter, but when they emerge for the spring, you will not have to look for them. They will be just about everywhere in your home.

Stink bug control is no easy task once you have a house full of them. These stubborn invaders will look for just about any avenue to enter your home. If they get in by the hundreds, there isn't a lot you can do. You can't crush them because that just makes the smell worse. You can't lure them with bait because there aren't many baits on the market for stink bugs. And it's not like you can just open the door and shoo them out if there is a large population of them inside.

That's where we come in. Here at Combat Pest Control, we are experts in all the varieties of stink bugs that commonly invade homes and how to kick them to the curb. If you are sharing your home with a whole civilization of stink bugs, don't waste your time with sticky traps and foggers. Just give us a call or visit our contact page.

While you may not be able to do very much about an established stink bug infestation, there is plenty you can do to control stink bugs before they get into your home. Take measures like:

• Seal cracks and holes in your home's exterior that stink bugs could use to enter. 
• Harvest fruits and veggies that could attract stink bugs to your property.
• Eliminate moisture around your house from things like condensation and poor drainage.
• Use special insect-repellent lighting outdoors, and keep your blinds closed at night. 

Taking these measures can help make your house less attractive to stink bugs, but if you do wind up with these smelly pests, don't hesitate to contact Combat Pest Control for professional home pest control help.