Stink Bugs in Michigan – 6 Things to Know
Image via Flickr by jcantroot
It’s fall season again, and as you may know, this is when lots of insects and bugs try to get into warm, hidden areas in and around your home. With winter just around the corner, many of these pests are looking for shelter. The brown marmorated stink bug is one such bug to look out for. This pest species regularly constitutes a nuisance in Michigan and at least 40 other states. Stink bugs are taking over households in Michigan this fall.
Check out these six interesting things to know about Michigan’s stink bugs.
1. Stink Bugs are Invasive
Stink bugs unintentionally made their way to North America from Asia in 1996. A few years later, stink bugs were discovered in Michigan and have become a nightmare since, especially for homeowners and farmers in the agricultural sector.
2. Stink Bugs in Michigan Hibernate
Right now, brown marmorated stink bugs need shelter to hibernate through winter. Once it gets to springtime (which is when their hibernation period ends), they will then make their way outside to feed on plants and reproduce.
3. A Stink Bug is Distinct From Other Michigan Pests
Stink bugs have the shape of a shield and usually measure between 0.5 -0.7 inches long. A stink bug’s abdomen is long, with the entire body segmented into three parts and carried upon six brown legs. The bug’s brown-grey bodies carry irregular black spots with white undersides. BSMBs feed on 200+ plant species using mouthparts that resemble straws, enabling them to puncture and suck plant tissue juices.
4. Stink Bug Populations Fluctuate – Even in Michigan
Stink bug populations fluctuate each year. The stink bug population in Michigan is booming right now. As the weather gets colder, you may notice fewer of them, but that usually means they’re going into hibernation deep into your walls. If you don’t notice them until spring, they may already be on their way out the door.
Stink bugs easily find easy entry points into your home. Due to their small size, stink bugs can get in through easy-access routes like roofs, foundation holes, gaps, crevices, and cracks. Your windows also provide another easy access point for them to infiltrate your house. So if you have these bugs inside your home, it’s a clear indication that your house may be more porous than you thought.
5. Stink Bugs Won’t Bite
Stink bugs don’t bite. They won’t harm you, your loved ones, or any structures in your house. They are also not here to lay eggs, nest, or feed since their mouthparts only allow them to live on juices from plants. So it’s safe to say that stink bugs are pretty much harmless to you or your pets.
6. You Should Never Squish a Stink Bug
The bad news is that stink bugs have a foul smell, hence their name. So if you find a stink bug anywhere inside your Michigan house, don’t squish them unless you have a high tolerance for brief, bad smells.
Rule number one, DO NOT PANIC. Stink bugs are harmless, but you can keep them from getting into your property in the first place by sealing off cracks, crevices, gaps, and any openings wide enough to let the bug inside. Use caulking, tape, and weatherstripping to get the job done. Sweeping them into a bucket of soapy water will kill them too. You may also vacuum them up, but doing so could release their foul stench.
Stink Bugs in Michigan Getting Out of Control?
The idea of stink bugs hibernating in your walls may make you uneasy, but they don’t usually cause any problems in your home. You should consider what else might be able to make its way indoors. As Michigan’s weather gets colder, spiders, ants, and even wildlife may make their way indoors. Think you may have a pest problem or wildlife in your garage or attic? Contact Solidified Pest Control today at (248) 820-3057 for a free quote. We have the experience and knowledge that you need to remove pests and wildlife from your Redford, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Plymouth, Garden City, Milford, Rochester, Commerce, or South Lyon, Michigan home. Feel free to contact us using our online form.