Minnesota Pest Control Minneapolis MN
Move over bed bugs. They’re here! Stink Bugs that is! The pest is on the move. The smelly bugs are hitch-hiking and gliding their way across the country. The brown marmorated stink bug has been found in 39 states, including Minnesota. The brown marmorated stink bug has been found in Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Winona, Hennepin, Chisago and Carver counties since first being detected in Minnesota in November 2010. All were house invaders.
The brown marmorated stink bug, or simply the stink bug, is an insect in the family Pentatomidae, and it is native to China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. (Wikipedia) Stink bugs are named for the pungent smell they emit when frightened, disturbed or squashed. They have glands that produce a defensive compound, which has a strong odor that repels predators. It makes them particularly obnoxious.
Stink bugs have been reported in 39 of the 50 states. No one is sure exactly when it got here, but the brown marmorated stink bug may be coming to an orchard, field, or attic near you!
The brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys), a winged invader from Asia that is eating crops and infesting U.S. homes, is spreading and is expected to continue to do so. The biggest problem in the United States so far has been in homes.
The fall and the spring are when stink bugs are most active. In the fall, they are seeking shelter from the cold weather so they will find any cracks, crevices or holes to get inside, similar to how Asian lady beetles and Box elder bugs invade Minnesota houses. And while you may not see them all winter, once the spring season arrives, if you were hosting stink bugs, you will probably find them soaking in rays of sun from a window sill.
They don’t harm humans, but if they’re squashed or pulled into a vacuum cleaner, they emit their unpleasant odor.
The brown marmorated stink bug has been found in 39 states, including Minnesota.
Homeowners are looking for a simple way to get rid of them—and there is none. When present in low numbers, stink bugs can be disposed of in soapy water. Larger infestations may require a Minneapolis MN pest control expert to do the job.
Some good information can be found here:
University of Maryland Extension – Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Pest Alert (PDF: 284 KB / 4 pages)
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: The Next Invasive Insect Pest in Minnesota?
Where Is The Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB)?
Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) has been detected in 39 states, posing severe agricultural problems in six states and nuisance problems in thirteen others.
Explore Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Sightings
Brown marmorated stink bug as of March 2013
Where there is one bug, there are often more! Prevention is the best way to keep these pests from infesting your or house or business. As always, keep a tidy ship once the buggers have gone to bug heaven. Don’t leave food lying around. Wipe-off all counters and develop some good cleaning habits.
