If you have been unlucky enough to disturb or crush a stink bug, then you know why it has been graced with its name. They aren’t the ideal guest to have around your home. Especially if you are already dealing with a smelly teenager or two wandering about.
Most of the time, when dealing with pests in our client’s homes, people want to know what type of threat they pose to their household. Well, they definitely are a nuisance due to their smell, but do they pose a real threat and could stink bugs bite you?
We are going to give you all the information you need to ease your mind about these smelly pests around your home.
What do Stink Bugs Smell Like?
Stink bugs don’t smell all the time. They only emit their stinky odor when they feel threatened, or when they are squished. So, squishing them when you see them around your home is definitely a DON’T.
The smell is due to chemicals released by their abdominal glands. When this happens, up to a few inches around them begins to smell not so pleasant. A stink bug’s smell has been described in many different ways like skunky, burnt tires, earthy, or even like cilantro. It can smell different depending on the species of stink bug and the person that smells it.
No matter what the smell ends up being to you, it never ends up being a good one. And they are not a bug you want hanging around stinking up your home.
Do Stink Bugs Bite?
Their smell alone should have made you want to keep these bugs away from your home by this point. But of course, we all want to know if they could be more of a physical threat to you and your family.
The stink bug that is most commonly around our homes is the brown marmorated stink bug. And this stink bug does not bite. They don’t have fangs, teeth, or stingers, and they aren’t interested in harming humans or our pets.
Their mouths are made so that they can suck on fruits and vegetables, not suck on the blood of humans. This is a relief as we have just spent the summer dealing with pesky mosquitoes eager to grab a bite to eat of you and your family!
However, even though they may not be able to bite us, they can still pose a threat to those who have a sensitivity to the chemicals they release. It is known to cause allergic reactions in some people. And the reaction can be even worse if you touch the chemicals.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs
Unlike many of the pests that we deal with, stink bugs don’t cause damage to your home. And, like you just learned, stink bugs don’t bite. However, even with those pros, the smell they emit is reason enough to want to keep these stinky pests away.
But how can you prevent stink bugs from taking up residence in your home? Well, the easiest way is to do a basic pest prevention run-through of your home. This includes sealing up any cracks, crevices, or holes that they could use to enter your home.
As it starts to cool off later this year they will try to take up residence in spaces like your attic to stay warm and hibernate since their food sources are more scarce. So keeping your attic sealed up, your weather stripping intact, and vent screens in good shape is going to keep the stink bugs out.
If the stink bugs are already a problem in your home, then you are in a different situation. Like we mentioned before, you don’t want to squish them at all. This will cause the very distinguishable odor to come out and that isn’t going to be fun for you at all.
To get rid of them you can use a vacuum cleaner to suck up the bugs you find. Fair warning, your vacuum could have an odor afterward though if the stink bugs feel threatened. However, there aren’t very many DIY options that actually work to get rid of them. Calling in professional pest control help can always be an option if you are tired of seeing stink bugs around your home and don’t want to worry about releasing their odor.
Call us for Help
Stink bugs don’t bite, however, they do give off a very nasty smell. And no one wants to deal with any more odors than necessary. No matter if a pest is dangerous or not, they are never fun to have around your home.
Just seeing stink bugs around your home means there is a chance one could go off at any time. They are like a ticking time bomb of odor. If you aren’t sure if you can deal with the anticipation of knowing when they could go off, you can always give us a call and we can come out and handle your stink bug problem for you.
We always offer free phone consultations no matter what type of pest issue you may find yourself with. Give us a call and we can help find a solution to your problem.
Contact Kapture for a No-Obligation Phone Consultation and Quote:
Call 1-888-811-5813 or schedule online now to start protecting your home and family today!
