Do stink bugs bite?

The prospect of being bitten by a bug known as the stink bug sounds alarming and disgusting to say the least. So what is a stink bug and does it bite. Is it an insect version of a skunk?

Well, the stink bug indeed has a distinct odor which many characterize as the smell of a skunk. Some others have said it smells like a rather pungent version of cilantro that lingers from long after the insect is dead and gone. Its smell is because of the presence of some glands located under its abdomen. This stench it produces is meant to be a defense mechanism which effectively prevents it from being eaten by predators including lizards and birds.

Do they bite?

They stink but they do not bite. They are also completely harmless to human beings and animals in terms of carrying disease to either. However the smell emitted can be an irritant and cause allergic reactions in human beings. The symptoms of an allergic reaction include a running nose when one perceives the smell and also dermatitis if one comes into contact with the crushed bug.

The brown marmorated bug which is commonly known as the stink bug has invaded 38 states in America so you are more likely than not to come across this bug one way or another. They like to live in large numbers so they can really stink up a place if they are killed by crushing.

What do stink bugs look like?

They have a shield like body with a brown color that looks marbled. They are as small as 14 to 17 millimeters. When in a conducive environment they can lay over five generations in year and populate your space. Unlike the stink bugs that are native to the United States these bugs do not cross pollinate plants. And they have become an even more invasive species after being introduced into the United States in the 90s accidentally it is believed by hitching a ride on one of the shipping containers from Asia. This species is native to China, Korea, and Japan.

Unfortunately, these bugs damage the crops especially corn which they pierce and suck out the moisture form the kernels. They do the same to fruits like apples, figs, and black berries. You can keep them out of your house by sealing off cracks and crevices using caulking and seal of other entry points using weather stripping.