Stinkbugs In Maryland

We all know the STINKBUG.. They are particularly prevalent in late summer, and dealing with infestations is an issue for many home owners. Part of the pentatomidae family of insects, stinkbugs can be identified by their trapezium-shaped bodies. When you disturb one, you’ll understand how the stinkbug gets its name: It secretes a glandular substance from pores in its thorax that smells awful. Because of its odor and ability to reproduce in large numbers, dealing with them in your home, yard or garden is a must to protect children, pets and plants.

Types of Stinkbugs in Maryland

There are two stinkbugs that tend to be a problem in Maryland: 

Green Stinkbugs

The green stink bug is usually found in gardens. If you discover one, it will probably be in late summer when the immature nymphs are chewing their way through tender shoots in your garden. While stinkbugs usually do not kill plants outright, they can damage the plant’s ability to flower or bear fruit. Where the bugs are feeding close to your home, the smell they can emit when you pass nearby makes them unpleasant to be around. Even if you have not seen a green stink bug, you might be able to find evidence of them from scarring or dimples on plant stems as well as discolored fruit.

Brown Marmorated Stinkbugs

The brown marmorated stinkbug is another variety well known to Maryland homeowners. You can spot these in the late summer in gardens with fruit trees and shrubs. They have brown bodies and a proboscis that they stick into fruit in order to feed. A native of Asia, these bugs are hardy and will look for ways to overwinter in dwellings and outbuildings to stay warm, a particularly annoying habit. They will enter via any crack or gap large enough to allow them into walls, ceilings, and attics.

Dealing with Stinkbugs in Maryland

To control an infestation of stinkbugs, call us and we will take the correct course of action for you. Treatment must be done in the early fall to be effective. Disturbing a group of stinkbugs on your own can lead to some very smelly and unpleasant results, so it’s best to leave it to us.