Our bathroom has a 5-star rating this year for stink bugs
- Herb Broda: Nature Notebook
- November 23, 2018
- 1610
Sometimes ideas for a column just fly into your head. That’s literally what happened a few days ago as I was sleepily brushing my teeth.
The comforting stillness of the pre-dawn morning was jarred by a critter buzz-bombing my head and landing on the bathroom mirror. The invader was about an inch long and looked like a little shield.
My unexpected guest was a stink bug, probably a brown marmorated stink bug, very common here in Ohio. Although this one startled me because he flew so close, we usually see many of these each year. Ours often climb on the curtains in the living room, although the bathroom seems to have a five-star rating this year.
Stink bugs are the newbies in the neighborhood. Many authorities feel they have only been in the U.S. since the mid-1990s, possibly arriving on cargo container ships from Asia. The bugs are now found in 44 states but have only been recorded in Ohio since around 2008, truly an amazing example of how quickly and extensively an invasive species can travel.
The good news: Stink bugs cannot sting. They also are not eating while visiting your home, nor do they build nests or reproduce in your bathroom. The little dudes are just trying to be dormant, but more about that later.
The downside: Stink bugs attack agricultural crops including soybeans and corn. They also can feed on garden plants, farm crops and even orchard fruit. Large outbreaks can cause heavy agricultural losses. Full disclosure: There are some helpful predatory species that feed on other insects that attack plants.
Of course there is the odor. Since cave-dwelling days, humans have eliminated unwanted bugs in their homes by either squishing or stomping. Sadly both techniques are highly ineffective with these guys. The odor of a crushed stink bug has been compared to everything from skunk to coriander or old cilantro. The fluid that is released also can stain furniture, carpets and your hands.
At our house we get rid of stink bugs by just putting them outside. We have probably sent dozens into the winter landscape over the years. Because I was running late, the one that flew around me in the bathroom was sent on a journey to the water treatment plant via the toilet.
But why are they in the house now? According to OSU Extension’s Backyard and Garden Online, stink bugs "seek sheltered locations in the fall where cool temperatures slow their metabolism during the winter so they will not exhaust their stored fat reserves. This survival strategy keeps them alive since there is nothing for them to eat throughout the winter.”
During chilly weather stink bugs look for warmer locations, sort of like senior citizens. South-facing walls or roofs make perfect spots, but they often explore and find openings to even warmer areas inside (bad choice). The warmth of a house interior causes the insect to metabolize at a higher rate and use up much of its precious fat. The end result is they starve to death.
What we see inside our homes are those bugs on their last legs (all six of them). Again, according to OSU Extension, “Starving brown marmorated stink bugs and multicolored Asian lady beetles commonly take flight to buzz-bomb astonished homeowners and terrified pets.” The ones that stayed out of the warm interior are the most likely to emerge in spring.
How do you keep them out of the house? The ideal way is to seal up every crack or crevice that opens to the outside. Admittedly, in older homes that’s practically impossible. You can call an exterminator, but that seems a bit unnecessary for this critter.
Remember that as a household pest, stink bugs aren’t really a big problem, although they can be destructive to crops. While in your house, they are not raising young in your walls, biting your dachshund or eating your groceries. If you spot some crawling around, you can gently pick them up with a tissue and take them outside.
While you are out there, take a minute to be present with the nature around you. Breathe deeply, enjoy the crisp fall air and notice the ever-changing landscape.
Email Herb Broda at 4nature.notebook@gmail.com.