Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Near Evansville, Indiana
Brown marmorated stink bugs, or BMSB for short, are one of the most invasive pests in North America. They were first spotted in Pennsylvania in 1998 and have been making their way east ever since. The good news is that they’re not harmful to humans but they can be quite a nuisance when they invade homes en masse during the fall and winter months. Learn more about this pest and what you can do to protect your home from them!
What is the Brown marmorated stink bug and where does it come from
The Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive species from Asia that was first spotted in the United States in 1998. This pest has quickly become a nuisance for many people, as they invade homes in large numbers in the fall and winter months.
The BMSB can be distinguished from other stink bugs by its characteristic brown and green coloration, as well as the white bands on its antennae. It is a relatively large bug, measuring about 5/8 of an inch long.
The BMSB originally came from China, Japan, and Taiwan, where it is considered a pest of agriculture. It feeds on a variety of plants, including fruit trees, vegetables, and row crops. In the United States, the BMSB has caused severe damage to grapes and peaches.
The BMSB is now found throughout most of the Eastern United States.
What are the causes of BMSB infestations in homes?
The Brown marmorated stink bug is attracted to light-colored buildings because they can be seen through the translucent exoskeleton. Since this species does not fly well, it instead simply falls to the ground when its senses that gravity is increasing. When it reaches a building, it searches for a way inside.
BMSBs find their way into homes as they search for cool and low-light locations to spend the winter months.
How to identify a BMSB infestation
If you think you have a Brown marmorated stink bug infestation in your home, there are a few things you can look for to confirm your suspicions.
The most obvious sign of an infestation is the presence of large numbers of stink bugs clustered together. They can be found indoors and outdoors, but are more commonly seen inside buildings.
Another sign that you may have a Brown marmorated stink bug infestation is damage to your property. Stink bugs often feed on fruit trees, vegetables, and row crops, so they may cause damage to these plants if they are present in large numbers.
Finally, you can identify a Brown marmorated stink bug infestation by its characteristic brown and green coloration, as well as the white bands on its antennae.
Why do we care about this pest and what can we do to stop them
The Brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species that has been causing a lot of damage in Indiana. This pest can be very harmful to homeowners, as they can invade homes in large numbers in the fall and winter months. They can also cause significant damage to crops, as they feed on the fruit and leaves of plants. Because of this, it is important for homeowners and farmers to take note of how they can control this pest.
This bug was first found in the U.S. back in 1998 and has been steadily increasing its population since its introduction. This species feeds on a variety of fruits and vegetables, which makes it very harmful to crops and vegetation that growers have to protect. Also, homeowners should be aware that this pest has the ability to invade homes in large numbers and can cause damage to curtains, carpeting and other household items that they get trapped on.
Controlling Brown marmorated stink bugs is not an easy task and requires a lot of planning and research by homeowners. First of all, it is important to figure out where the bugs are entering the home. If they seem to be getting indoors through a certain area such as windows and doors, you should block up those areas and make sure that there aren't any cracks or holes that allow this pest entry into your living space. These little buggers can also destroy flowers and crops, so it is important to cover your plants if you notice that they are under attack.
Control If possible, homeowners should try to use physical control methods first. One method is to simply vacuuming them up, however this may not be practical because the pests can be very elusive and also will still try to invade your home. Another method is exclusion.
Finally, homeowners should consider contacting a pest control professional.
Natural ways to deter these pests, such as hanging dryer sheets throughout your home or planting certain flowers that they don't like near the entrances of your house (eucalyptus, lavender, thyme)
There are several home remedies to deter these pests from invading your home. While there is no certainty as to whether these ideas work, if you are desperate you may give these a try. One way is to hang dryer sheets throughout your home; the smell of the fabric softener may deter the stink bugs. You can also plant certain flowers near the entrances of your house that the bugs don't like, such as eucalyptus, lavender, and thyme. These plants will create a barrier that will keep the bugs out.
By spraying a mixture of water and dish soap on the surfaces of your house, you will create a barrier that is said to keep stink bugs out. You can also spray essential oils or diluted peppermint oil on windows and doors to deter these pests from entering. Although there is no scientific basis as to why this method would work, homeowners claim it is effective in keeping the bugs from coming inside.
If these methods don't work, it may be time to call a professional pest exterminator. The professionals have highly effective methods of getting rid of stink bugs that homeowners don't own or care to use themselves. A professional will also ensure that all entry points are sealed properly so that the bugs will not be able to return.
The Brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive species from Asia that has quickly become a nuisance for many people. Homeowners in Indiana have been experiencing the invasion of these pests, which invade homes in large numbers during fall and winter months. Fortunately there are some natural ways to deter them. If these methods don't work it may be time to call a professional pest exterminator who will use highly effective techniques on getting rid of the bugs without harming you and your family.
