Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Quick answer: The common stink bug here is the brown marmorated stink bug — a shield-shaped, mottled-brown insect about 1.5–1.7 cm, with white-banded antennae and legs. When crushed or threatened it releases a foul, cilantro-like odor. They move indoors in fall to overwinter, clustering on warm, sunny walls and windows, then re-emerge in spring. They’re harmless to people and property but are a real nuisance in numbers.
What stink bugs look like
Their shield (or badge) shape is the giveaway, along with the marbled brown coloring and the alternating light/dark bands on the antennae and the edge of the abdomen. They’re clumsy, slow fliers that buzz noticeably, and you’ll often find them sunning on the outside of the house in fall or bumbling around windows indoors.
Why stink bugs come inside
As temperatures drop in autumn, stink bugs seek sheltered spots to overwinter, slipping in through gaps around windows, doors, siding, vents, and the foundation. They cluster in wall voids, attics, and around sunny windows, going dormant through winter and becoming active again — sometimes indoors — on warm late-winter and spring days.
The smell — and why not to crush them
Stink bugs earn their name: crushing one releases a lingering, unpleasant odor (and can stain). So the rule is don’t squash them indoors. Instead, vacuum them up (ideally with a bag you can discard, or empty promptly) or sweep them into soapy water.
Are stink bugs harmful?
Not to people — they don’t bite, sting, or damage homes. (They are an agricultural pest on crops, but indoors they’re purely a nuisance.) The issues are the odor and the sheer numbers that can gather in fall and spring.
How to keep them out
The fix is exclusion before fall: seal gaps around windows, doors, utility penetrations, and siding; repair screens; and close obvious entry points. For homes that get heavy seasonal invasions, a professional exterior perimeter treatment in early fall reduces how many get in. See also fall-invading “overwintering” pests.
Stink bugs taking over the windows? New York Exterminating can seal entry points and treat the perimeter with a low-exposure plan, led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). Call (347) 210-4646 or request a free assessment.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For pests in your home or building, NYE provides IPM-based, low-exposure control matched to the exact pest and verified with a follow-up. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
Stink Bugs — FAQ
What do stink bugs look like?
Shield-shaped, mottled brown, about 1.5–1.7 cm, with white-banded antennae and legs. They fly clumsily and gather on sunny walls and windows.
Why are stink bugs in my house?
They come indoors in fall to overwinter in a sheltered spot, entering through gaps around windows, siding, and the foundation.
Should I squish a stink bug?
No — crushing releases a strong odor and can stain. Vacuum them up or sweep them into soapy water instead.
Are stink bugs dangerous?
No. They don’t bite, sting, or damage your home; they’re a seasonal nuisance known mainly for their smell and numbers.
