The stink bug population continues to explode across New Jersey. If you have not yet seen one of these prehistoric-looking creatures up close and personal inside your home, you are in the lucky minority.  Stink bug control requires barrier control.  Seal potential entries and have a pest control professional apply an exterior, preventative spray. It will mean the difference between a full-blown infestation and a few isolated sightings.

Many insects, including stink bugs, use the process of “overwintering” to survive the harsh winter. Here in New Jersey, insects like the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug survive by seeking out locations that provide them with warmth and protection once outdoor temperatures drop.  These bugs look at our cozy homes as a five-star hotel.

From my experience in pest control, stink bugs rank high up on the client frustration meter. These bugs are vile, leaving a noxious trail of fluids that stains walls, curtains, and other surfaces.  Even worse, if these insects are disturbed, just like skunks, they discharge a pungent, acrid odor.

Stink bugs don’t share their habitat.  They boldly take over your house, showing up anywhere and everywhere -- in your laundry basket, on your curtains, in your silverware drawer, on your lampshades.

Sneaking into our homes as early as late August and continue through the early fall, stink bugs make their way through the thinnest of crevices, torn screens, unprotected vents, or loose flashings, often in large number. And once inside, they are not shy about overstaying their welcome, sometimes not leaving until the middle of June.

Every year, the stink bug problem for homeowners continues to escalate.  I’m hoping that government agencies and research labs will develop a coordinated initiative or we will be looking at a major problem down the road.  Stink bugs, at least for homeowners, aren’t getting the attention they deserve.

The primary strategy to avoid stink bug infestations is barrier control.

• Seal any cracks with caulking or weather-stripping to keep the invaders out.
• Check for rotting windowsills, improperly sealed doors, and holes in window screens.
• Seal any vents, especially those connected to an attic to permit ventilation while keeping stink bugs out.
• Remove or properly cover window air-conditioning units.
• Keep garage doors closed.  Otherwise, you may find that your garage has been converted into a licensed stink bug overwintering facility.