What Stink Bugs Look Like
The stink bug found around Downers Grove homes is usually the brown marmorated stink bug. It is an invasive species that is now established in Illinois.
- Shape: Shield shaped body, about five eighths of an inch long
- Color: Mottled brown or gray
- Markings: Light bands on the antennae and alternating light and dark markings around the edge of the body
- Movement: Slow and clumsy, and they often drop when disturbed
They are sometimes mistaken for native stink bugs or for other brown beetles. If it is shield shaped and gives off an odor, it is likely a stink bug.
Why Stink Bugs Come Into Your Home
Stink bugs do not want to live in your house. They want somewhere warm and sheltered to wait out winter.
In fall, they gather on sunny outside walls, fences and rooflines and look for cracks to crawl into. They can slip in through small gaps around:
- Windows and doors
- Siding and fascia
- Utility lines and pipes
- Attic vents and soffits
- Chimneys and rooflines
- Dryer vents and window air conditioners
Once inside, they hide in walls and attics. On warm days in winter or as spring arrives, they wake up and head for light, which is when you find them in living spaces.
What Stink Bugs Do
They do not bite people or damage the home. They do not breed indoors or eat food, clothing or wood.
They smell. When crushed, squeezed or scared, they release a strong odor.
They damage plants. Outside, stink bugs feed on many garden crops and fruit, including tomatoes, peppers, apples, peaches and beans. This can leave spots, scars and distorted fruit.
The main reason people call about stink bugs in fall is the number that come indoors.
When Stink Bugs Are a Problem
- Late summer and fall: They gather on outside walls and move toward gaps in the house
- Winter: They stay hidden in walls and attics, and some wake on warm days
- Spring: They try to leave the home and often end up at windows
- Summer: They feed on garden plants and fruit trees
Treatment works best in late summer or early fall, before they start entering.
How We Control Stink Bugs
1. Inspection. We check the sunny sides of your home, entry points and rooflines to see where stink bugs gather and get in.
2. Exterior treatment. We treat the outside of the home, especially the walls and entry points where stink bugs land, to cut down the number that get inside.
3. Seal entry points. We point out the gaps that need sealing and how to close them.
4. Advice. We explain how to safely remove stink bugs that are already inside your home.
How to Remove Stink Bugs Indoors
- Use a vacuum, but plan for the smell. A vacuum will pick them up, but they can leave an odor in the machine. Use an older vacuum, or put a knee high stocking over the hose end so the bugs collect in the stocking, then dispose of it outside
- Use a jar of soapy water. Knock them in with a piece of paper and they will drown
- Do not squash them. That is when they release the smell
- Do not use sprays or bombs indoors. They will not reach the bugs in walls, and dead bugs in wall voids can draw other pests
Ways to Keep Stink Bugs Out
- Caulk gaps around windows, doors, siding, utility lines and pipes
- Repair window and door screens
- Replace worn weatherstripping and door sweeps
- Cover attic vents and chimney openings with fine mesh
- Check the outside of your home in late summer for early arrivals
- In the garden, pick off stink bugs by hand and clear weeds and plant debris where they hide
Stink Bug Control Across Downers Grove
We treat stink bugs in homes and businesses throughout Downers Grove, including ZIP codes 60515 and 60516, and in nearby towns such as Lisle, Woodridge, Westmont and Darien. If you are close by, call us anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do stink bugs smell?
It is a defense. When they feel threatened, squeezed or crushed, they release a scent from glands on their body. The smell is unpleasant but not harmful.
Do stink bugs bite or harm my family?
No. They do not bite, sting or spread disease. They are a nuisance because of their numbers and their smell.
How did stink bugs get into my house?
They entered through small gaps around windows, doors, siding, vents and utility lines. In fall, they look for any opening that leads to a warm, protected space.
Why do I find stink bugs in winter?
They spend winter hiding in walls and attics. Warmth from the house or a sunny day can wake them, and they head toward light and end up in your rooms.
Will one treatment be enough?
Treatment before they gather in fall helps cut the number that get in, but new stink bugs can arrive throughout the season. Sealing gaps and seasonal treatments give you better results.
Can stink bugs hurt my garden?
Yes. They feed on many fruits and vegetables and can leave scars and spoiled spots. If you see them in the garden, pick them off by hand and keep the area free of weeds and debris.
What is the difference between stink bugs and boxelder bugs?
Stink bugs are shield shaped, mottled brown and give off an odor. Boxelder bugs are slim and black with red lines. See our Boxelder Bug Control page.
Is stink bug treatment safe for children and pets?
Your technician follows the product label and tells you where products were applied and how long to keep children and pets away from treated areas.
Related services: Boxelder Bug Control | Asian Lady Beetle Control | Home Pest Protection Plan