What is a stink bug and why the heck to we need them?

If you are asking these questions, it means you probably have a house full of these annoying prehistoric-looking bugs that really don’t seem to serve a purpose.  Apparently, stink bugs are waking up throughout Indiana, trying to make their way outdoors after hibernating inside your home during the cold winter months.

The stink bug, or Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, is native to China, Japan and Taiwan. They first made their appearance in the United States in 1988. They probably hitched a ride in shipping containers and are now in more than 30 states.

Though stink bugs are harmless to humans, they feed on host plants, including orchard fruits, vegetables, and legumes. They also love weeds and tree leaves. Unfortunately, stink bugs are mostly resistant to insecticides.

Why are they called stink bugs? Another good question…because they smell like stinky socks when they are squashed, frightened or disturbed.  Be careful when vacuuming them up because the strong odor will remain.
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To answer the question why do we need stink bugs, the obvious answer is, we don’t, but there are 4,700 species of stink bugs in the world, with about 250 in the United States so they’re here to stay. Once in your home, it’s nearly impossible to get rid of them.