Where Do Stink Bugs Come From?

Diapause: When temperatures drop, stink bugs enter a hibernation phase. They need warm, protected places to hide, which causes them to move indoors. One stink bug attracts others until hundreds or thousands invade a space.

Brown marmorated stink bugs originated in Eastern Asia, native to Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan. They were first documented in Pennsylvania in 1998 but likely arrived at a US eastern port of entry earlier.

As flying insects that travel long distances for food, they have spread far from their original arrival point on the east coast. Since the late 1990s, they have reached as far west as California and as far south as Florida.

After spending most of the year outside feeding, stink bugs prepare for winter by seeking warm hiding places. They are also attracted to lights left on at night. If exterior lights lead them to your home, they will find access points. Once inside, they release aggregation pheromones that attract others until you have a full infestation.

For most people, stink bugs are a nuisance pest that occasionally invade gardens and homes. They do not present much threat to humans since they are not venomous and do not bite or sting.

The biggest threat is their offensive smell, said to smell like cilantro and rotting fruit. One stink bug is not bad, but thousands in a closed space is a different story. Do not crush them as they release even more scent. Instead, collect and discard them.