Stink Bug Control
In 2020, over 14 million homes reported experiencing a pest problem in the past 12 months, making creepy crawlers a very common but frustrating headache for homeowners. This problem can be made even worse when your home is infested with a bug as off-putting and unique as the stink bug. Their smell is as unique as their history.
Stink Bugs Are True Bugs
Though many species of ants and beetles can emit a noxious odor when crushed or threatened, that doesn't mean they are stink bugs. In fact, the term bug is used for most creepy crawlies, but that is far from an accurate term. The stinkers fall into the order Hemiptera, which are true bugs and include bed bugs, plant bugs and others. Though there are over 200 species in North America, the most prevalent is the Brown Marmorated.
They Have a Long History, Just Not in America
In Asia, stink bugs have existed as an agricultural pest for quite some time, with specimens dating back to 1916, but these pungent insects are relatively new to the United States. They were first discovered in 1998 in Allentown, PA, where they are believed to have been accidentally introduced to the wild. They were positively identified years later in 2001 and have spread like wildfire across 44 states.
We Once Imported Wasps to Kill Stink Bugs
Known for their indiscriminate appetite for crops and invasive tendencies, they once cost mid-Atlantic apple farmers over 37 million dollars in lost apple crops. They had become such a massive problem for farmers that we once imported wasps from Asia to kill them. Researchers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Research Service had imported the Samurai Wasp, a parasitic predator of the stink bug. Unfortunately, after years of careful research, it was found that the Samurai Wasp already existed in America and was not effective at curbing the stink bug invasion.
They Have Different Scents for Different Occasions
As part of their defense mechanism, stink bugs release a coriander-like odor to ward off predators, but they can actually swap out their scents as easily as we can swap out perfume or cologne. When they find a safe place to hunker down for the colder months, they can release a different smelling pheromone, notifying others of their new secret shelter.
Stink Bugs Are Picky Breeders
Should you find them in your home or business, take some solace in knowing that they only breed outside. This won't stop them from finding a nice place inside to settle down for the winter though and then overrunning your property when the weather warms up. In 2018, a South Carolina family found themselves with over 26,000 BMSBs.
Pest Control Doesn't Have to Stink, Hire a Professional
To ensure that your pest problem is solved once and for all, it's recommended that you call an expert who understands your particular pest. Superior Pest Solutions is that expert with over 20 years of experience protecting South Carolina from the state's most formidable pests. Trained to diagnose your problem and provide solutions tailored to fit your budget and situation, Superior Pest Solutions can effectively remove them from your property, giving you peace of mind at an affordable rate.