The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is native to eastern Asia where the species is not considered a pest due to its habit of overwintering naturally outdoors. Several native stink bug species have been documented in the US, and none are considered household insect pests, though they are considered agricultural and garden pests. The BMSB’s first documented appearance in the US occurred in Allentown, Pennsylvania back in 2001, where they immediately demonstrated their significance as crop pests. By the mid 2000s the BMSB revealed itself to be a serious nuisance pest in residential houses, and by 2010, the species became the most common invasive household true bug pest in the eastern half of the US, especially in the northeastern states where the majority of residential complaints and pest control service requests occur.

Since becoming major pests in the US, a plethora of research publications describe the bug’s pest behaviors and methods of control for both household and agricultural disturbances. Today, the internet is rife with DYI household stink bug control methods, particularly prevention methods. When it comes to eliminating active indoor stink bug infestations, some of the most commonly mentioned techniques will ultimately cause the bug’s foul odor to permeate a home. Many residents of the northeast have discovered this for themselves, so is there any way of eliminating an indoor stink bug presence without stinking up a home?

Since BMSBs emit a foul odor when they become disturbed or squished, eliminating the pests from a home without causing a stink is very difficult. Some of the most common control methods mentioned online include vacuuming the bugs, sweeping them into a dustpan, sticky traps, and even removing them by hand. While using a vacuum to rid a home of stink bugs may seem convenient, this method will most certainly cause the pests to emit foul odors, especially from the vacuum bag. The stink can be minimized by vacuuming the bugs as quickly as possible and removing the bag immediately before throwing it in the outside garbage. Insecticides are ill advised, as odors will immediately radiate from the corpses, which can be hard to collect when the pests are located behind walls, storage areas and behind baseboards. Surprisingly, the least stinky method of BMSB removal involves hand picking the bugs before flushing them down the toilet as quickly as possible.

Have you ever sensed a seemingly inexplicable odor of rotten fruits in your home?