When threatened, crushed, or even just handled, stink bugs release a pungent chemical from glands on their bodies to ward off predators. A sudden bad smell usually means a bug was disturbed or squashed nearby, or that there are enough of them around for the odor to build.
They’re called stink bugs for a reason. If you crush one, you’ll find out what that reason is.
The smell comes from scent glands, located on the thorax in adults, that release a defensive chemical cocktail (mostly aldehydes) when the bug feels threatened. Skunks do something really similar. And you can thank natural selection here: smelling bad is a good way to get rid of predators. People often say stink bugs smell musty and pungent, as well as oddly herbal, with comparisons ranging from cilantro to dirty socks.
Handling, swatting, and crushing stink bugs can all cause them to release their smell. But of all these ways, crushing is the most surefire way to get the full dose of their stink. That’s why you should not squash them.
In practice, if you smell stink bugs, it means one of two things. The first is that you just disturbed or crushed one. The other, if you’re less lucky, is that there is a sizable infestation nearby.
The scent itself is harmless, just awful to smell. The oily compounds cling to surfaces and fabrics and linger in the air. Because of this, crushing even one bug can leave a bad stench hanging around for long after the insect is gone.
Avoiding and clearing it is simple enough. Don’t crush the bugs. Vacuum them gently and empty the canister outside. For a smear, wash the spot with soapy water or a vinegar solution.
If you're tired of that telltale stink bug odor turning up around the house, Mosquito Squad of Central New Hampshire can help. Mosquito Squad offers perimeter treatments that help keep overwintering stink bugs out. These are applied by a trained technician alongside the barrier service that delivers up to 90% reduction in mosquito activity on a 21-day cycle.
