Stink Bugs in Salina
Stink bugs are oval or shield-shaped insects found almost everywhere in the United States, and increasingly here in Salina. They get their common name for the stinky smell they produce as a defense mechanism against predators. Stink bugs can damage fruit and fruit trees and become a nuisance pest for homeowners when they enter homes in the fall looking for warmth. They can enter homes in large numbers.
Stink Bug Habitat
In the wild, stink bug adults hide in cracks, under the peeling bark of older or dead trees, or leaf litter and vegetation. In early autumn, they start to look for wintering sites. On warm fall nights, you can often find them in large numbers on the south side of structures in search of those sites. When brown marmorated stink bugs enter homes, they congregate near doors, windows, and other entry points. They seek out narrow spaces to hide, preferring high and cool locations. Stink bugs can be found in cracks under or behind baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights in ceilings. In the spring, adults move from overwintering sites to host plants.
Stink Bug Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Stink bugs do not bite or sting and are not harmful to people, houses, or pets. While they are not dangerous, they are notorious for their pungent smell. Homeowners are sometimes alarmed when stink bugs enter homes in large numbers. Although stink bugs will not reproduce or cause damage inside structures, they will emit a pungent odor when crushed or disturbed and can leave stains on surfaces.
If you have a stink bug problem in your Salina property, contact your local exterminators for help.
