What Do Stink Bugs Eat? A Complete Guide

If you’ve noticed that a lot of stink bugs have suddenly invaded your house or garden, be sure that you are not the only one. The shield-shaped insects are indeed a subject of concern for both residents and farmers all over the United States. Before dealing with the stink bite and its problem, it is important to know a few basic questions to deal with that in the best possible manner. What do stink bugs eat, what are stink bug good for, are stink bugs dangerous, and, finally, how to deal with a stink bug infestation.

What Do Stink Bugs Eat?

This question usually comes to the minds of many people across the United States that what do stink bugs eat . Most of the stink bugs are “polyphagous,” that is, they can feed on different plants and crops. They have quite a rich diet, and that’s why they are a very big threat to people who can be destroyed easily, such as gardens, orchards, and agricultural fields.
Let’s enumerate their most preferred foods.

• Fruits: Apples, pears, peaches, apricots, figs, grapes, nectarines, berries
• Vegetables: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans, okra, eggplants, sweet corn, field corn
• Seeds and Grains: Soybeans, rice, pecans, cotton, sorghum, grains
• Ornamental Plants: Magnolias, sunflowers, holly, mimosa, Eastern rosebud
• Trees: Maple, elm, oaks, and more

Given the chance that they are inside, the insects may eat indoor plants, and if any fruit is left unprotected, they may consume that, too. The ability of stink bugs to feed on such a vast array of fruits and vegetables is what explains their rapid reproduction and significant destruction to the agricultural sector and gardens.

What Are Stink Bugs Good For?

At first sight, the majority of people don’t think of stink bugs in any way other than being pests. Surprisingly, the truth is that they do have a positive side. Namely, what are stink bugs good for?

Natural Pest Control

Some types of stink bugs are predatory and they eat such destructive insects for crops as caterpillars, beetles and even other stink bugs feeding on plants. This is why destructive pests would make good allies for farmers and gardeners who want to control them.

Ecosystem Balance

The process of vectoring by stink bugs allows the plant to trigger the production of compounds that serve as a natural shield against the pests. Those plants that face future pest problems will be more healthy and ‘less tasty’ due to this variety.

Food Source

In some parts of the world, such as Asia, stink bugs are a good source of protein and essential nutrients.An added advantage to this is that they help in the reduction of crop destruction caused by the stink bugs as they are eaten.

Well, this is all true, but it should be taken into account that the brown marmorated stink bug and those of a similar nature are the most common stink bugs in the US, and thus, such insects are firstly plant-eaters of the crops and are not beneficial insects.

Are Stink Bugs Poisonous?

The question about the poisonous nature of stink bugs is popular among homeowners and most often stands like “Can stink bugs hurt you?” The answer is “Yes”. This is the fact that stink bugs secrete a substance from their glands, which produces an insufferable odor, thereby not letting their enemies attack their bodies. The question is, if stink bugs poisonous? Stink bugs are poisonous in the sense that they produce a bad smell that cats and dogs detest, and this can be toxic to the animals, but the bugs can also be big environmental protectors.

• Human Health: The release of the liquid is potentially responsible for mild allergic reactions in some people, such as sneezing, itchy eyes, or skin irritation (dermatitis), but isolated cases are rare. If a stink bug bites you, just wash your hands with clean water and soap.
• Pets: Stink bug secretions are report to be non-poisonous to cats and dogs, but the odor may be irritating.

To sum up, it is fair to say that stink bugs which cause humans no direct harm can affect their health, and in the case of pets are a bigger nuisance without harming the two-legged roommates.

Stink Bug Infestation: What You Need to Know

Infestation of the stink bugs is not easy to manage once it gets into your home, especially during the fall season, as they are seeking warmth, hence they try getting indoors more than ever. Here is how you can find and manage the infestation:

1. Signs of Infestation: Looking at numerous stink bugs gathering on walls, windows, or within your home, especially in cooler times of the year.
2. Prevention: This is the simplest way of preventing the invasion: it is to seal cracks in and around the windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, and chimneys. Another major move is to repair and replace broken screens and to trim down the outdoor vegetation, thus fewer havens are left for the pests.
3. Removal: Indoor stink bugs can be remove using a vacuum cleaner. They emit an unpleasant smell. If they have become too much, call a pest control expert. More so in the case of severe invasions, a pest control professional must be contact.
4. Lifecycle: Female stink bugs are capable of laying hundreds of eggs, so this can quickly lead to a large population.

Conclusion

At the beginning, knowing what do stink bugs eat is the most crucial factor in controlling these very stubborn pests. Although we identify stink bugs as a plant-feeding insect species that can make a mess of the crops and gardens, they also have a minor role in natural pest control and ecosystem balance. Wondering if stink bugs are useful is a bit tricky to answer because even though they are not bad, they’re causing more and more problems for farmers

Fortunately, the stink bug odor cannot endanger the life of humans and animals, yet be unbearable and, in the case of some allergic reactions, even be fatal. If you find that there is a stink bug infestation in your home, you will need to take the preventative measures immediately, or you will be sure to succeed in having a bug-free home, garden, or farm.

People have the information they need to avoid or get rid of stink bugs, they won’t have to worry about them in their territory. If your home, garden, or farm is under a stink bug attack, be sure to instantly look for advice from pest experts for professional ways to get rid of the problem.