Stink bugs are common insects that thrive in vegetation. These insects are notorious for giving off a foul odor when they are disturbed or threatened and if you have had the misfortune of stepping on one, you would realize that they do indeed deserve their name. Think of them as the insect equivalent of a skunk and you would be forgiven for saying so. Unlike the skunk, though, the stink is easily removed once you wash it off with soap and water. They are also known as shield bugs for the tell tale shape of their folded wings which looks like a knight's shield.

These bugs from the Pentatomoidea superfamily includes shield bugs, burrowing bugs and shield back bugs. Stink bugs are characterized by glands that secrete a ‘stink' that is located in their thorax, hence the name. They are generally not thought of as harmful but the chemical that they release can be damaging to the eyes and some types of these bugs can cause havoc with agriculture. They are known to reproduce rapidly and if this is the case, an insect expert can be called to identify the culprit. Some other types of this kind of bug eat other insects that are considered pests so it is a good idea to identify which one is in your area.

Around an inch long when adult, these bugs are colored according to their surroundings so they may be green or brown and other shades in between. The plant eaters seem to prefer fruits but other plants and crops can also be infested by stink bugs. These insects love warmth so they are most active in the warm months and usually hibernate in the winter but some homeowners find them really bothersome when they start moving from the garden to inside the house during the cold season. They love hiding in crevices and enter your house through cracks and other similar openings. It is a good idea to check these places so that these critters can't infiltrate your home.

If your house or surrounding vegetation does get infested, ask an entomologist to recommend which type of insecticide will work best for that particular bug. Their advice is very helpful especially if you've got crops to protect or if you need to treat an infestation inside your home. The stench of their protective spray can be irritating to animals or people with respiratory conditions especially for people with allergies so always keep in mind to never squash the bug when you see one crawling around in your place. There are commercially available preparations that you can use to get rid of them such as insecticides or soaps. At your home, the first thing you can do is to get rid of the grass and weeds that they like to stay in. The female lays numerous eggs in the spring and manage to reproduce rapidly. Once they get in your house, it is a good idea to use a vacuum cleaner to pick them out if you don't wish to use pesticides. Other home treatments are used but the best way is still to use the correct pesticides to treat the proliferation of stink bugs in your place.

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