Do Stink Bugs Bite
Stink bugs are large – almost ¾” long. Adult stink bugs are almost as wide as they are long. In the springtime, homeowners often find stink bugs walking up the walls or flying toward windows. And when the homeowner swats the bugs, they give off an unpleasant odor.
As if their size and smell weren’t bad enough, sometimes the rumor goes around that stink bugs are dangerous. The rumors include terrible stories about stink bug bites. The stories can be very frightening.
In reality, stink bugs do not bite people. In fact, most species of stink bugs feed on plants. They suck the juice from leaves, stems, and roots of plants. They attack everything from ornamental plants to weeds. The insects pierce the skin of the plant and extract the juice inside.
These plant-feeding stink bugs also attack seeds, nuts, and fruit. They attack peaches, apples, tomatoes, green peppers, soybeans, and pecans. They have even been found feeding on developing cotton. Stink bugs can be serious pests in farms, gardens, and orchards.
There are a few species of stink bugs that are predators, but they eat other insects. They eat harmful pests like caterpillars and even other stink bugs. These predatory stink bugs are beneficial because they help protect plants.
Even though stink bugs do not bite people, they can be nuisances when they get into homes. Many homeowners use a vacuum cleaner to remove stink bugs from the walls and windows of their homes. However, the bugs may cause the vacuum to have an unpleasant odor for a while.
Homeowners can help prevent stink bugs from invading by sealing openings that the bugs might use to get inside. Cracks around doors and windows can be sealed with caulk. Vents in crawl spaces and attics can be protected with screen. Weather-stripping can be used to seal gaps under exterior doors.
An insecticide barrier can be applied on the foundation and around doors and windows. This can help prevent stink bugs and other pests from gathering on the house. Sunshine and weather will break down the insecticide, so the barrier will have to be re-applied periodically. The pest control professional can select the most effective materials and make the necessary applications.