Stink Bugs Are Taking Over Kalamazoo

There's a reason these harmless creatures are around every corner.

I was doing laundry recently, washed my sheets and after drying them I noticed an unpleasant scent.  A stink bug somehow got into the dryer and smelled up my sheets so I had to wash them TWICE more to get the smell out.  During the fall, I had to swat them with a small broom every few seconds while hanging out on my porch. Stink bugs are EVERYWHERE and after the laundry incident, I decided to do some research.

Interesting fact: The brown marmorated stink bug was accidentally brought into Pennsylvania in 1998.  According to Penn State,

BMSB becomes a nuisance pest both indoors and out when it is attracted to the outside of houses on warm fall days in search of protected, overwintering sites. BMSB  occasionally reappears during warmer sunny periods throughout the winter, and again as it emerges in the spring.

The Orkin Man says,

They have piercing sucking mouthparts and straight antennae. Most stink bugs have a characteristic shield shape. Many are plant feeders and some are even predatory.

Why do they smell like rotten cilantro?  The pungent scent is their defense mechanism:

Interesting enough, the composition of the odor is comprised of chemicals commonly used as food additives and is present in cilantro. This smell can linger for hours so, if possible, try to avoid stink bugs or carefully sweep or vacuum them up if they have entered your house - Orkin

Stink bugs do NOT reproduce indoors and they are harmless to humans.  They get into the home by squeezing through small cracks or broken window or door screens.  They are trying to find a place to hibernate for winter which is why there is an influx during the fall.

How to know you have a stink bug infestation:

If a homeowner is experiencing overwintering stink bugs, contact pest professionals who can select the most effective materials and determine the best course of actions to prevent a recurrence. - Orkin

Bonus Video