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Quick answer: The brown marmorated stink bug is a shield-shaped invasive insect that gathers on sunny walls in fall and slips indoors to overwinter, releasing a foul odor when disturbed or crushed. They do not bite, breed indoors, or damage homes. The key to control is exclusion — sealing them out before fall — and vacuuming (not crushing) the ones that get in.
What do stink bugs look like?
The brown marmorated stink bug is about 5/8 inch, shield-shaped, and mottled brown, with tell-tale light-and-dark bands on the antennae and along the abdomen edge. When disturbed or crushed it releases a foul odor, the source of its name.
Signs of a stink bug invasion
In fall, you will notice bugs clustering on sunny exterior walls and then appearing indoors around windows, curtains, and light fixtures. On warm winter and spring days, overwintering bugs may become active inside.
Why stink bugs get indoors
Stink bugs are seeking shelter to overwinter, not to feed or breed. They enter through gaps around windows, doors, vents, soffits, and utility penetrations. They do not reproduce indoors or harm the home; they are simply hiding until spring.
How to keep stink bugs out
The durable solution is exclusion done before fall: seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utility lines; repair or add screens; install door sweeps; and, where pressure is high, apply a targeted exterior treatment ahead of the invasion. For bugs already inside, vacuum them up rather than crushing them to avoid the odor, and empty or seal the vacuum contents.
When to call a professional
For homes that see heavy fall invasions, a professional can identify entry points, perform exclusion, and time an exterior treatment to the seasonal invasion for the best results.
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 Bug FAQ
How do I identify a stink bug?
The brown marmorated stink bug is about 5/8 inch, shield-shaped, and mottled brown, with alternating light and dark bands on the antennae and along the edge of the abdomen.
Why are stink bugs in my house in fall?
As the weather cools, they seek sheltered places to overwinter and enter through gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utility penetrations, often gathering first on warm, sunny walls.
How do you get rid of stink bugs indoors?
Vacuum them up (a dedicated vacuum or bag helps contain the odor) rather than crushing them, which releases their smell. The lasting fix is sealing entry points before fall so they cannot get in.
Do stink bugs bite or cause damage?
They do not bite people, breed indoors, or damage the structure. They are a nuisance because of their numbers and odor; outdoors they are agricultural pests.
How do I keep stink bugs out?
Seal cracks and gaps around windows, doors, vents, and utility lines; repair screens; install door sweeps; and treat the exterior before the fall invasion if pressure is high.
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