HERE THEY COME! Stink bugs have returned, crawling on your windows and walls. This year, there's a new kind of invader, causing problems inside and out.

While watching TV over the weekend, it landed on window. The very warm day was beginning to turn into another cool night and someone was looking for a warm space inside our home.

NOPE!

Brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) insect animal
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With a giant sigh, my wife said,

"The f*****g stink bugs are back!"

That statement was followed by us trying to determine if it was on the inside or outside of the window. It was outside, but you know it's only the beginning. Soon, we'll be surrounded by these nasty little insects.

There's a New Kind of Stink Bug

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Our new home invader is called the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB). Not only will the BMSB invade your personal space, it will also wreak havoc in your garden.

The piercing mouthparts of the BMSB are capable of damaging a multitude of crops from apples to pears to soybeans and landscape ornamentals, according to University of Illinois experts.

The BMSB body has the shield-shaped characteristic to stink bugs and it is as wide as it is long. The three most identifying characteristics are its black and white banding on the antennae, the alternating dark/light banding on the edge of the wings and the smooth shoulders.

And, just to be clear...

This new kind of stink bug also stinks when threatened, so be careful before disposing of one these little BMSOB's.

Speaking of stink bug control and disposal:

  • Use a vacuum to suck up adults or drop them in soapy water
  • Take steps in early fall to caulk cracks and crevices around the house
  • Prevent movement in from the outside by repairing windows and putting on door sweeps

Or, you can build this simple stink bug trap.

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