Stink bugs have recently invaded New Jersey and are showing up in homes with increasing frequency. When the weather gets colder in fall and winter, adult stink bugs enter homes and other structures in search of a cozy place to spend the winter. They will find access to homes and other buildings through cracks and crevices around windows and doors, under siding and other areas. Between May and the beginning of June, when they are re-emerging from overwintering sites, they can enter living spaces inadvertently.

Adult stink bugs are approximately .67 inches long and about as wide. They have a characteristic “shield” or triangular shaped plate on their backs with various shags of brown.  They get their name  from their ability to emit a foul smell from small glands located on their thorax when they are threatened or squished.

Stink bugs are not a threat to people or pets although their tendency to invade homes in high numbers and land on unsuspecting people can be a nuisance. They can cause significant damage to planted fields, orchards and trees as they feed on fruits, vegetables and other farm crops.

You can deter stink bugs to stay out of your home by sealing up cracks and crevices and putting screens over windows and vents.  It also advised that when you catch them, you don’t crush them because the unpleasant odor they emit can attract even more to the area.

Buggin’ Us Pest Control will use bait traps to rid your home of stink bugs.