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The bugs do not carry diseases nor are they poisonous. They do however emit an awful odor when smashed, hence the name stink bug! The real threat that these insects pose is the fact that they eat your vegetables and fruits, and can swarm in the thousands. According to the DailyMail, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has spent $10 million trying to find a way to exterminate them but has so far been unsuccessful.
This could create a huge loss for not only family gardens, but larger fields of crops as well. The economy is bad enough as it is right now. The price of gas and foods in the United States has risen, as well as the unemployment rates. The last thing one needs is additional losses.
Even more alarming is that these bugs can live for several years. They invade homes and buildings in the fall in order to survive the winter. There are no known pesticides that will get rid of these stink bugs, but natural methods and tips have been shared. You don't want to smash and kill the bug, the horrific smell that would ensue would only cause further annoyance. The simplest way to remove them from your home is the catch and release method. Just let them crawl onto a newspaper and throw the little critters outside. Others have even used a vacuum cleaner to rid their homes of the vile bug. Just be sure to dump them quickly, or else your vacuum cleaner is going to have a repugnant smell. How do you feel about the stink bug epidemic? What actions do you feel should be taken to diminish the spread of these pests? Please share your thoughts and suggestions.
in Missouri gardens for several years. Took me awhile to figure out what they are. No problem in the home, but a major nuisance in the garden. Best protection is to make the plants "unpalatable" to them: Spray with Bt or an insecticidal soap (or use biodegradable dish soap and water) on a weekly basis. At first I tried handpicking and squishing and handpicking and tossing them in a bucket of soap and water, but these methods did not work well. Birds don't seem to care for them, either.