Request Your Inspection Today! (815) 427-1211

Buy Now

The Battle Against Stink Bugs: Strategies For Success In Your St. Charles Home


September 10, 2023

Stink bugs are an invasive insect pest that not many homeowners are prepared to handle. While they aren’t as threatening as some other insect pests, stink bugs can cause problems and unnecessary frustration for you if you don’t know how to deal with them properly. 

In this article, we’ll equip you with the knowledge you need to not only understand these pests but to combat them as well. We’ll talk about the key aspects of stink bug pest control in St. Charles, covering their general habits and anatomy, how to identify them, the damage they can cause around your home, and a few practical steps you can take to keep them from getting inside. 

Finally, we’ll discuss the professional pest control services we offer at Pest Control Consultants. We are passionate about helping homeowners understand how to protect themselves and their families from insect pests.

stink bug on a wall

Understanding Stink Bugs: Anatomy And Behavior


First, let’s discuss the general characteristics of stink bugs. The brown marmorated stink bug was introduced to the United States in the 1990s. They are in almost every state today. Stink bugs are a grayish-brown color with a mottled pattern on their bodies. They are triangular or shield-like in shape and measure about 3/4 of an inch long. Stink bugs are nearly as long as they are wide since their six legs spread out to the sides of their bodies. They have two antennae and can fly once they reach full maturity. 

Stink bugs tend to be most active during the summer months. They seek shelter during the winter to protect themselves from the cold temperatures. Most stink bug species feed on plants; they suck the juices out of the roots, leaves, and stems. The plants they attack include everything from ornamental plants to weeds to fruit trees to large-scale crops. Stink bugs got their name from the distinct odor that they produce when threatened or crushed. Some types of stink bugs can actually spray the chemical that causes this odor several inches through the air as a form of defense. They tend to start gathering around homes toward the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, so you should keep an eye out for stink bugs in St. Charles during this time. 

In the next section, we’ll talk about some of the damage these pests can cause if left unchecked.

Stink Bug Damage: How These Pests Affect Crops And Gardens

Stink bugs aren’t dangerous to humans. They can’t bite through human skin, and they don’t spread diseases or do much more harm to people than cause them to experience an unpleasant smell. The smell can be quite annoying, however. 

The real danger that stink bugs pose is a danger to gardens, fruit trees, and larger crops. A stink bug invasion can lead to large amounts of damage to these plants in a short time; this can impact the yield of certain crops negatively or even cause them to stop producing altogether. 

No homeowner wants their garden or fruit trees gutted by insect pests, so let’s talk about what you can do to prevent stink bugs from getting a foothold on your property.

Preventing Stink Bugs: Tips For Protecting Your Home

The best way to handle the possibility of a stink bug infestation in your St. Charles house is to reduce their chances of getting inside in the first place. Here are a few things that you can do to keep stink bugs away: 

  • Seal any cracks around the window or door frames.
  • Replace any damaged or missing window or door screens.
  • Reduce moisture in your home as much as possible.
  • Use yellow outdoor light bulbs since they are less likely to attract insects. 

Following these steps should help minimize the risk of a stink bug invasion in your home. If you do find yourself dealing with these pests, you can always contact a professional pest control company.

Stink Bug Management: Contact Us For Experienced Control

When you need the best stink bug exterminators in St. Charles, look no further than Pest Control Consultants. Our family-owned and operated company specializes in delivering top-notch service to our customers. We’ve been around for three generations, and thousands of residential and commercial clients trust us. We use the best, most up-to-date pest control practices available, so you can always count on us to provide the results you need every time. 

Contact Pest Control Consultants today for more information.

Tags: stink bug control | stink bug prevention | stink bugs in st charles |