Cooler Weather Brings in Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

READING, Pa., September 23, 2013 — Now that the cooler weather of autumn is here, brown marmorated stink bugs are likely to make an appearance in homes throughout the Northeastern United States. The Rentokil family of pest control companies (Ehrlich Pest Control, Western Exterminator, and Presto-X Pest Control), encourages homeowners to take proactive measures to stink bug-proof the home, both inside and out, to ward off these pests in the coming weeks. In many cases, these pests are hard to ward off without immediate measures.

Brown marmorated stink bugs have become a common household pest since they were first identified in Allentown, Penn. in September 2001, and have since invaded 38 states coast-to-coast. You can see an interactive map showing where these stink bugs have been detected and are more than a nuisance in the United States at Stop BMSB.

“Stink bugs often enter homes and other structures this time of year to seek shelter in preparation for the upcoming winter weather,” said Chad Gore, PhD, entomologist for Rentokil. “Fortunately, stink bugs do not pose a safety or property risk to homeowners. However, they tend to invade homes in high numbers and can become a nuisance once inside.”

Brown marmorated stink bugs are easy to spot. Taking a cue from their name, stink bugs release a foul smelling odor when threatened. Also known as shield bugs due to their shape, there are many species of stink bugs which range in size from 1/4 of an inch to 1/2 of an inch in length and vary in color from gray to brown to green or blue, while others are black with orange or red markings.

Prevention tips include:

• Seal cracks around windows, doors, electrical outlets, ceiling fans and light switches
• Change outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs
• Repair damaged window screens and install door sweeps on exterior doors
• Keep damper shut on chimney when not in use
• Trim vegetation around house

If brown marmorated stink bugs do find their way into the home, a vacuum can be used to dispose of the smelly pests. However, a licensed pest professional can be contacted if a more serious infestation is suspected.

About Rentokil North America
Ehrlich Pest Control (www.jcehrlich.com), Western Exterminator (www.westernexterminator.com), and Presto-X Pest Control (www.prestox.com)are all part of the Rentokil family of pest control companies in North America. They provide commercial and residential pest control, bioremediation, bird control, vegetation management, deer repellent services, wild-animal trapping and termite control from more than 150 local offices in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. Rentokil is the world’s largest commercial pest control company, operating in 50 countries worldwide. For more information, visit https://www.rentokil.com/us

NOTE TO EDITORS: Stink Bug Infographic available for media use.