Last winter I took a call from a customer who was baffled by what she had discovered in her living room. “I don’t know what it is, but it looks like a tiny dinosaur!” she exclaimed. To be perfectly honest, after that description, I was just as curious as she was. Our technician reported back that it was a stink bug, or more formally, a brown marmorated stink bug. Chances are, you’ve sporadically experienced stink bugs in your Massachusetts home, but you may not know much about them or how to fight back what may feel like a full-on invasion during this time of year.

While there are more than 200 different species of stink bug in North America, the brown marmorated stink bug is one of the most likely to be found hiding out in Massachusetts residences.

Native to Asia, these stink bugs are an invasive species accidentally introduced to the United States in the 1990s. They have a grey-brown body with “marbled” or flecked markings. As their name implies, they emit a “stinky” liquid when startled or threatened. With this charming feature in mind, it’s no wonder people would prefer not to have them hanging around inside.

Despite the aroma, this herbivore is relatively harmless when seeking shelter in warm spots during cold weather. In the agricultural industry, they are considered a major problem. Large infestations have decimated crops and cost farmers millions-- but they are not entering your home with the intention of consuming your freshly-bought produce or houseplants.

Just as humans generally prefer to remain indoors and away from harsh winter elements, stink bugs also seek warmth as temperatures drop. They can enter your home through an open door, a loose window screen, or cracks in baseboards and siding. You will typically see more of them as temperatures begin to fall and they are attempting to get inside, and again as spring arrives, when they would rather be outside.

Because of their pungent defense mechanism, ridding your home of stink bugs can be tricky. Capture and release can be effective if you only see one here and there, but if you’re struggling to keep up, professional help may be necessary. Call or email Burgess for a free estimate and let us shrink the stink!