Stink bugs invade American homes

Hardly a day goes by without a news report of a bed bug breakout somewhere in the U.S. These creepy crawlers are enough to make our skin itch, but unfortunately they aren't the only ones we need to worry about.

That's right: Stink bugs are bringin' their brand of foul odor to a town near you. Ick.

Creating a real stink

Stink bugs, or Halyomorpha halys, emerged in East Asia in the early '90s, and hitched a ride to North America. Cases have popped up in homes in various parts of Pennsylvania, Virginia and New Jersey.

>> Sleep tight with these tips on banning bed bugs from your home

As you probably guessed, stink bugs get their name from their foul odor. The intense smell is sometimes compared to skunks or rotten vegetables. Stink bugs can be a little hard to identify, as they come in yellow, red, brown white and a pale green color (as shown here). They're usually found feeding off garden crops and can cause a great deal of damage to gardens if left untreated.

Luckily, they aren't harmful to humans, except for their noxious fumes.

What to do if stink bugs get inside your house

The Loudoun County Government in Leesburg, Virginia, knows about dealing with these stinkers, and they offered these tips on how to control the bugs if they get inside.

1. Exclude stink bugs from the house by sealing up cracks around windows, doors, utility access points, chimneys, siding, trim, and fascia. Caulk can be used to seal many cracks, but attic and foundation vents, and weep holes will require wire mesh or screening.
2. Do not seal cracks if the insects are already inside because they will be trapped and die indoors.
3. Vacuuming best controls individual insects. Spraying stink bugs with insecticide after they get inside still obligates your to vacuum up their dead bodies, so skip the insecticide and go straight to the vacuum. Avoid treating stink bugs you cannot reach with the vacuum with insecticide.
4. If the stink bugs die inside wall voids or an attic, their dead bodies may attract carpet beetles and other pests that feed on the carcasses and could lead to infestations of these pests.
5. Stink bugs are attracted to light, so keep the lights out if you think they're surrounding your house.

>> How to naturally rid your home of bugs

The best bet to get rid of stink bugs is to make your yard a paradise for beneficial insects that will help control the stink bug population. For example, pill bugs (aka sow bugs, roly polys) eat stink bug eggs. You can also get rid of stink bugs with the careful use of insecticides -- but be sure to get the opinion of a qualified exterminator in your area.

>>Learn more about stink bugs here

More tips on bug and insect control

Summer pests: Tips to prevent bug infestation

Tips for getting bugs to buzz off and how to deal with bites and stings

How to get rid of spiders & other bugs

Organic pest control recipes