Stink bugs are most commonly confused as boxelder bugs, due to their size, shape, and color, depending on the variety of stink bug. Learn more about these fall invading insects, including 6 easy DIY stink bug control tips, and how we perform stink bug control.
Our fall exterior spray is how we perform boxelder bug control as well. Learn other service options below and how you can connect with us!
Table of Contents:
Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are definable by their unique shape, their brown to gray to black color (depending), and their cream-colored underbellies.
Male stink bugs emit their pheromones during mating season, along with vibrations, to attract a female mate. The females respond with vibrations of their own. These pests often can damage tree leaves and plant leaves and fruit. Because their mouth parts can pierce the skin of the fruit and suck up the nutrients, some insecticides are not helpful in reducing their populations.
Female stink bugs are capable of laying up to 400 eggs in her lifetime, producing at least 1 generation per year in the colder states and up to 6 generations per year in the warmer states throughout the US.
There aren’t too many predators that hunt and eat stink bugs, perhaps due to their odor, and therefore taste. Some spiders will hunt stink bugs, and some crawling insects will eat the eggs of stink bugs. Still, there are some parasites that will kill stink bug populations.
Stink bug staining is common, sometimes on the exterior of the home or the interior of the home, especially if you squish them. So, if you’re wondering “Do stink bugs leave brown spots?” the answer is: they can. They won’t leave brown spots all the time. So, to reiterate: bugs that leave brown stains on walls can be stink bugs. Stink bugs will leave stink bug stains.
If you’re wondering how to remove stink bug stains, a simple way is with a dishcloth damp with soap and water. If you’re wondering how to remove stink bug stains from skin, washing your hands in warm water with hand soap is your best bet. It may take a couple of washes, so don’t worry if it doesn’t come off the first time. Just go about your day, practice good hygiene habits throughout, and those stains should be gone soon!
Boxelder Bugs Confused As Stink Bugs
Boxelder bugs are most commonly confused as stink bugs, though there can be the presence of both around a property. Though stink bugs are primarily either brown, gray, or black, they do have reddish undertones or markings on their bodies, which make people think: boxelder bugs, when in fact they are stink bugs.
Boxelder bugs and stink bugs have similar life cycles and appear similar throughout their lives: babies are a brighter red, and as they molt into adults they get darker in color and lose their bright color completely or mostly (boxelder bugs don’t lose their color completely). Stink bugs do have some color markings other than their brown or black exteriors, but it is not the same pattern as boxelder bugs.
As you can see from these photos here, the left is a type of stink bug and the right is a boxelder bug. The markings are distinguishable, though at times, depending on the species of stink bug, it’s hard to tell between the 2 which is which.
Perhaps boxelder bugs are confused as stink bugs is due to the odor they emit when squished. Stink bugs, however, emit a smell that experts have claimed smells similarly to the spice coriander. But both pests are invasive pests, gaining access to millions of homes every fall to avoid the cold winters of the northern US. Minnesota this year has a particularly bad infestation of boxelder bugs.
Boxelder bug and stink bug control is a must this year.
Boxelder bugs can leave brown spots and just like stink bugs leave brown spots. Just like with boxelder bug stain on your skin, follow the same tips listed above with the how to remove stink bug stains from skin: simply wash your hands in warm water with hand soap and it will come off soon.
To prevent boxelder bug staining or stink bug staining on your home, it’s best to have preventative pest control. Give us a call today for a free quote: 651-342-9489.
Stink Bug Control
Stink bugs are not particularly dangerous to humans, though they can be if one has severe allergies. Their stinking pheromones and secretions have been known to cause a type of dermatitis, though very, very rare.
Of course the best way to get rid of stink bugs is to use a pest control company, like us, that has commercial grade and an EPA and FDA approved certified safe products to directly kill and then create a barrier around your home so they don’t get inside the cracks and crevices.
But there are some things you can do, too, to prevent these pests.
What You Can Do — 6 Easy DIY Stink Bug Control Tips
There are some things you can do to prevent stink bugs from getting in your home. Here are some brief things you can do to perform your own stink bug control.
- Close any openings through which these pests could enter (foundation, siding, gaps around window and door frames) prevention is the key!
- Keep in mind that stink bugs can squeeze through 4-millimeter gaps.
- Some essential oils may deter them (some suggest mint or garlic, others suggest tea tree or lavender).
- Do not use diatomaceous earth if you have pets.
- Dead stink bug odor can ward off live stink bugs (some go as far as making their own spray of stink bugs and water, and spraying around their home), but be careful because stink bugs leave brown spots at times, so you don’t want to use a concoction of bug water around your home if you think it will leave marks.
- If you are going to use a pest control company, consult the pest control company prior to doing any treatment yourself, as it could deter what they will do); they may also give you some more tips.
It’s important to take preventative control over stink bugs because they leave stink bug stains. Both stink bugs and boxelder bugs are bugs that leave leave brown stains on walls. Again, the answer to the question do stink bugs leave stains is yes, they very well can.
What We Do – Stink Bug Control
Our fall preventative power sprays are the key to all fall invading pests, like stink bugs, boxelder bugs, Asian lady beetles, hornets, and wasps. Done Right Pest Solutions is up-to-date on preventative pest control measures to ensure that these fall invaders don’t sneak in your home.
Our expert technicians begin your fall exterior service or stink bug control service by removing any cob webs, wasp nests, and other past pest activity from the exterior of your home with their web pole that can reach high peaks of 2 story houses!
Next, the exterior spray is applied with the power sprayers from the backs of their trucks. Their hose reaches 300 feet, to ensure full treatment of larger apartment buildings as well as larger houses.
The power sprayer can reach 3 stories tall, and our pricing is based on square footage because each house is different and each pest situation is different.
Finally, a 2 month warranty is given for this service, stink bug control. Keep in mind that the spray applied is a direct kill agent for any crawling, flying, or stinging insects that are on your siding at that time. But, the product dries clear within 1 hour of treatment, and then the residual component kicks in.
Stink bugs won’t die after immediately touching it, but they will die after 8 to 12 hours of touching your siding. So, if it is a sunny day and you see a lot of these fall invading pests sunning themselves on your home, check the foundation the next couple of days. You should begin to see a lot of dead ones. That is how you know it’s working! So, to prevent stink bug staining, have a fall exterior power spray.
We also have a year-round service called our Peak Seasons Plan, which covers you for more than just fall pests: spring, summer, fall, and winter pests! Check it out, and if you have any questions you can read our article outlining the FAQs of the plan or give us a call at any time! 651-342-9489.
Conclusion & Next Steps
You’ve learned a bit about this famous bug that isn’t always famously seen. Stink bugs do emit a type of odor that has been labeled as coriander-like, and they leave marks when squished. For these reasons they don’t have many predators, and enjoy life eating crops and over-wintering in homes and businesses.
You’ve learned some things that you can do to prevent these pests from getting inside your home, like exclusion and trying some strong oils similar to their scents. If these don’t work, please give us a call before the end of fall. We would love to help you prevent them from getting inside!
Look no further for stink bug control and other fall invading insect control than Done Right Pest Solutions!
Call or text, 651-342-9489, or email us at donerightpestsolutions@gmail.com. We so look forward to hearing from you. Call for a free quote.
Here to help,
Done Right Team
Have you ever had a stink bug infestation? We’d love to hear your experience and how you got rid of them! Connect with us in the comments below.
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