Stink bugs live up to their name. Squash ’em, vacuum ’em, disturb ’em even a little, and they defend themselves by emitting a repulsive odor.
Predators, parasites and diseases keep native species of stink bugs in check. The brown marmorated stink bug, however, is another story.
This one entered the United States as a stowaway some years ago, probably in cargo from China or a neighboring Asian country. In the absence of natural checks and balances, its population exploded. It spread swiftly from the mid-Atlantic to at least 33 states, including Illinois.
The stink bug damages crops, especially fruit, and it’s difficult to control with insecticides. But what makes this winged insect particularly obnoxious is its habit of entering homes in the winter.
Much like Asian lady beetles, another invasive species, stink bugs buzz around reading lamps, stroll across TV screens, land on dinner tables and lodge by the hundreds in window sills and other inviting corners of the home. That makes them a plague when their numbers rise out of control. The hosts of a Pittsburgh radio station acknowledged the city’s infestation in a rap with the line, “Stink bugs run this town.”
Illinois is a few years away from home invasions and serious crop damage. The local stink bug population has only begun to swell, according to Philip Nixon, a University of Illinois Extension entomologist. “It will build and eventually it will become a factor,” Nixon warned. “They will come into houses like ladybugs. We are expecting it to happen.”
What can you do? About stink bugs, not much. Invasive species exist all around us, from Japanese beetles to European corn borers to one of the most recent pests du jour, the tree-killing emerald ash borer. Plants, fish, animals: their varieties and numbers have expanded with global trade.
Every American can take simple steps to head off these costly nuisances.
*When traveling, don’t bring back fruits, vegetables, plants or animals that could harbor pests. Trying to sneak contraband past Customs officials can result in substantial penalties.
*Clean boots, waders, boats and off-road vehicles to stop invasive species from hitchhiking.
*Use firewood, mulch, soil and forage that is certified weed-free.
*Obtain firewood from the same county where it will be burned.
*Get rid of invasive plants when you find them around the home and garden.
*Report any outbreaks of invasive species to the local Extension office, Illinois Department of Agriculture or through the federal government site at invasivespeciesinfo.gov.
Early detection can reduce damage. Nixon said the state’s aggressive response to the discovery of the Asian longhorned beetle in the Chicago area got off to a fast start more than a decade ago after an alert citizen reported the suspicious bug. So don’t be afraid to make a stink.
