Having a messy home is one thing, but having a stinky home? That’s one surefire way to ensure that you’ll never be asked to host Thanksgiving again. Stink bugs are nuisance pests with an unusual defense. The sight of these invasive insects can be distressing enough, but their nasty smell makes stink bugs a nightmare for homeowners. That’s why it’s crucial to know how to keep stink bugs out of your Hartford home this fall.

What You Should Know About Stink Bugs

The common brown marmorated stink bug was first introduced to the United States in the mid-1990s. It’s believed that the first specimens hitchhiked their way from Asia aboard shipping containers and soon after began to overrun the Eastern U.S.

Stink bugs can be identified by their large, shield-like appearance. An average stink bug measures about 3/4 of an inch in size. They are roughly as long as they are wide, and thanks to six stilt-like legs, stink bugs can appear to be quite big. Coloration can vary from species to species, but the brown marmorated stink bug is brown with speckles of white, yellow, and black.

Stink bugs take their name from the pungent odor they emit when threatened or crushed. The smell is extremely powerful and can linger for several hours. But it’s not exactly the kind of putrid, rotting funk you might associate with the term “stink.” Stink bug odor is said to be similar to herbs like cilantro, and may even seem somewhat pleasant to certain people, though the strength and duration of the odor are reason enough to avoid crushing these pests.

Why Am I Seeing Stink Bugs?

When cold weather starts up, stink bugs will seek refuge in your home. In the fall months, stink bugs begin to infest homes and businesses to outlast the winter. They enter a sort of hibernation called “diapause” during which they will rest in walls, attics, and crawlspaces indoors.

If you’ve ever seen stink bugs indoors, it’s most likely because they were hiding out in your home over the winter. The first sign of warm weather will drive stink bugs out of their diapause to escape outside. Unseasonably warm winters may even cause them to emerge early.

How Dangerous Are Stink Bugs?

Stink bugs are harmless to people and pets. They can’t break human skin with their mouthparts, nor do they sting. Stink bugs aren’t known to spread disease or parasites, and they don’t destroy property or belongings. The most pressing concern when it comes to stink bugs is their trademark foul odor and the large numbers in which they can infest. The sight of dozens of large, flying insects in the house is never a welcome sight.

These pests are a nuisance for gardeners and farmers, however. They will pierce the stems and roots of plants and suck out the juices, causing serious damage. The only danger that stinks bugs cause is to your vegetable patch or ornamental plants.