Managing the Invasive Stink Bug Invasion: DIY Tips

The "Brown Marmorated Stink Bug" (BMSB) is an invasive species from Asia that has been observed in the Kansas City area since around 2011.

In the wild, these stink bugs overwinter in cracks and crevices, often beneath bark. As the weather warms, they leave their winter refuge. The BSMB becomes a "household pest" when they overwinter in the walls of your home. They are frequently seen on the first warm days of spring, when they are emerging from their winter shelter, or in the fall, when they are seeking protection from the cold.

The good news? They are not dangerous or destructive, do not spread disease, and typically leave homes on their own as the weather warms.

The bad news? They pose a threat to crops, are difficult to keep out of your house, and are smelly and bothersome.

Here are a few DIY tips from the K-State Research and Extension Office:

• Ensure all gaps, cracks, and crevices are sealed with caulking, and larger gaps are filled with steel wool.

• A dish of soapy water under a bright light can attract and trap insects that have entered indoors.

• Click here to read the full article from K-State

  
  

  

  
  

Your pest control professional may help reduce the number of BSMB entering your home with thorough crack and crevice treatments, but these pests are challenging to manage, and high elimination is rarely achievable.

If you want to learn more about Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs, the agricultural damage they cause, and efforts to stop them, we suggest checking out stopbmsb.org.