Should I Be Worried About Stink Bugs In My House?
Have you noticed small, shield-shaped tan bugs crawling on your curtains, walls, or light fixtures? If so, you might have stink bugs in your home. While they don’t live or reproduce indoors, they seek shelter inside when the weather gets cold. In spring, they reemerge, often surprising homeowners who didn’t realize they were there. This makes them a nuisance in both fall and spring—but should you be worried about them? Let’s find out.
Why Do I Have Stink Bugs in My House?
Stink bugs enter homes in search of warmth and shelter, especially as the weather cools. They naturally hide in tree bark during winter and are drawn to sun-warmed surfaces—including the exterior of your home. Once they climb onto your house, they look for small openings to squeeze through, eventually making their way indoors.
Possible reasons you have stink bugs in your house:
- Cracks or gaps in siding, windows, or doors
- Torn window screens
- Open chimneys without proper covers
- Gaps under doors or damaged weather stripping
- Older homes with more entry points
- Bringing them inside unknowingly (on firewood, plants, or clothing)
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous to People?
Stink bugs are not dangerous to people. They rarely bite, don’t spread disease, and aren’t toxic—despite their foul odor. However, they can release a smelly liquid from their thorax, which may cause irritation if it gets into your eyes. If this happens, seek medical attention to prevent any potential issues.
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous to Pets?
Stink bugs are not dangerous to pets, but they can cause mild reactions. If a dog or cat eats one, they may experience vomiting, excessive drooling, or irritation due to the bug's foul-tasting secretion. However, stink bugs are not toxic or lethal, and most pets quickly learn to avoid them after one unpleasant encounter.
Are Stink Bugs Dangerous to Belongings?
Stink bugs can damage belongings by leaving stains on curtains, couches, fabrics, and carpets. While these stains can sometimes be cleaned, removing them can be difficult. The best way to manage stink bugs and prevent stains is to vacuum them up quickly.
Do Stink Bugs Come Inside in the Spring?
Yes, stink bugs can appear inside your home in the spring, but they likely entered your home in the fall to escape the cold. They spend the winter hiding in cracks, behind baseboards, and around window and door trim. As temperatures rise, they start moving around, either because it’s still too cold outside or because they’re trying to find their way back out. If you’re seeing stink bugs in the spring, they’ve probably been inside all winter.
How To Get Rid of Stink Bugs
Looking for a way to say so long to stink bugs this spring? Here are a few stink bug prevention tips from the Pittsburgh pest control professionals that will help to keep these pests away:
- Seal off all openings around the foundation, windows, and doors that stink bugs could use to get inside.
- Trim back bushes and shrubs so they do not touch the side of the home, thus making a bridge for stink bugs to get closer to the inside of the home.
- Keep your grass trimmed near the house, and stay on top of those weeds. Stink bugs love weeds and weed stems.
- Stink bugs are attracted to light. Removing or keeping exterior lights off is a good way to not draw them in close to your home.
- Sign up for a year-round pest control plan for spot treatments and other preventative measures to make sure stink bugs do not become a part of your fall and spring.
Living with pests stinks. If you're in our Pennsylvania service area, let Witt help you establish a pest plan that is guaranteed to stop those pests in their tracks, and make life smell sweet again. You can contact us today to get $25 off your initial pest control service!
