Fall Brings Stink Bugs Into Homes

As we head further into fall, insects are starting to make their way into your homes.

Stink bugs in particular have started making a more prevalent appearance as summer came to an end and as you know, they release an odor when you squish them so be sure to use a vacuum to suck them up or even pick them up with a plastic bag, place them in the freezer then dispose of them either in the trash or by flushing them down the toilet.

“It’s all about trying to identify any cracks that would be around windows or door ways and trying to seal those up using caulk, that sort of thing. We don’t recommend using insecticides for stink bugs. If you spray now it’s not going to do anything to prevent the insect that comes in next week” says extension educator of agriculture and natural resources Clifton Martin.

Stink bugs cause local farmers a lot of stress as well especially those farming soy beans. Luckily, relief isn’t too far away…After our first big frost of the season the number of stink bugs will dramatically decrease.

“We see stink bugs every year and they’re definitely here now in the county. A lot of home owners see them. We often find them between our windows or around our doorways. Maybe you see them, if they’re in the house, you might see them flying around lights at night and they are primarily an insect that feeds on plants” Martin later explains.

While they are annoying to deal with…The good news is they won’t be biting anyone or causing damage to your home.