If People See This Brown Bug In Their Yard, They Should Take Urgent Action

So, what exactly is it that you need to look out for? Because we all know it’s not always easy to identify certain insects. Well, in the case of this brown bug, it sports six legs and has a rounded body. Plus, the little critter has a pretty unique back that resembles an old shield.

When they’re fully grown, these brown insects are around 0.7 inches – so, pretty tiny! Though this won’t stop them from wreaking havoc in your backyard if they go undetected. And it’s not just the ground you need to pay close attention to, as these little bugs have wings.

But a further word of caution: these insects aren’t just content with roaming in your garden. They can crop up in your house, too. From the curtains to cracks in the walls, they’ll get everywhere if you’re not too careful. And no one wants that, right? To be blunt, infestations suck.

So by now, you’re probably wondering what these little critters are called. Their species is named Halyomorpha halys – otherwise known as the brown marmorated stink bug. Not the most flattering of labels, is it? But given the problems they cause, they’ve no doubt heard worse from angry gardeners and homeowners!

Interestingly, the brown marmorated stink bug isn’t a native species to the Western world – although they have cropped up in the United States and the United Kingdom. They actually originate from Asia. And before branching out, the insects once called Japan, Taiwan, China and Korea home.

If you haven’t already guessed, the stink bug is an invasive species. But how did they manage to break out of Asia and spread across the globe? Well, one expert thinks he knows the answer – particularly when it comes to the critters’ appearance in the U.K. His name is Max Barclay, and he’s the head of the Coleoptera collection at the National History Museum.

In Barclay’s opinion, which he gave to The Guardian in March 2021, the stink bug probably made its way to Britain after hitching a ride on some overseas cargo or shipments. Talk about an unwanted stowaway! Yet there’s more to it than that, as it’s not like the critters would have just jumped aboard for the fun of it.

As Barclay explained to The Guardian, stink bugs aren’t active when the colder months roll around. So they look for a cozy place to hide until the temperature improves outside. This process is referred to as “diapause.” It’s essentially a form of hibernation for the tiny insects. And a container full of cargo would seem awfully snug now, wouldn’t it?

But there’s a larger issue at play here. Not only do stink bugs prefer warmer environments, but they thrive in them. And as we continue to deal with climate change, they could take advantage. Yep, if nations keep getting warmer year after year, that might open the door for the invasive species to become an even bigger menace.

And that fear was underlined when a group of specialists shared their research in the International Journal of Biometeorology in August 2020. They were able to estimate that at the turn of the 2100s, around half of Switzerland could also be a perfect home for the bugs. As we’ve seen, getting there wouldn’t really be a challenge for the little critters.

One of the specialists involved in the research worked for the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International, otherwise known as CABI. His name is Dr. Tim Haye, and he’s an authority on all things stink bug. What an accolade! Jokes aside, Dr. Haye shared some key findings with the CABI website in September 2020.

Dr. Haye explained, “There is strong evidence that climate change is already modifying species.” And he mentioned how it impacts things like how many stink bugs are produced each year, where they end up, and even their life cycles. “It is evident that the number of non-native species will increase and that climate change will promote their establishment. The north-western part of Switzerland could become completely suitable for H. halys.” Look out, Swiss citizens, they’re coming for you, too!

“Southwards, the projected range expansion would reach the foothills of the Alps,” Dr. Haye continued. “And higher latitudes in the alpine valleys could become suitable under future climate conditions. Monitoring the spread and population development in the north-western part of Switzerland, and higher altitudes of the valleys in the south, are recommended.” So it won’t be long before we start seeing these bugs all over the world!

Concerning stuff, wouldn’t you agree? Sure, the 2100s are some way off yet, but that’s not a reason to relax. You only need to look at the situation already at play in America. It’s no joke how quickly these stink bugs are spreading across the country —proving that things can get out of hand in a hurry.

So when did the stink bug turn up in the States? Well, according to PestWorld.org, someone stumbled across the insect back in 1996. It was found in Allentown, Pennsylvania. But the confirmation of its identity didn’t come for another five years. Until then, no one in America knew what this bizarre little creature actually was.

Meanwhile, the stink bugs ran roughshod in the eastern part of the country. They hit New Jersey and then went on to settle in Virginia in 2004. And in recent times, the insects have migrated to North Carolina. Worryingly, that’s just a fraction of their nationwide movements.

Because stink bugs have made themselves at home in... wait for it... 44 states. 44! And that’s only taken them 25 years! It’s an incredible feat, really, when you think of the size of the U.S. Now we can’t help but wonder: how long until the final six join the list?

Should that day come, those residents will quickly realize why Halyomorpha halys is known as the stink bug. Yes, similar to a skunk, the critters fire out a pungent scent if they feel like they’re in danger. And, apparently, the fumes can cover a few inches of their surrounding space.

Weirdly, some say the scent smells like various herbs and spices – cilantro, more specifically. Though The Guardian reported that the stench was closer to that of almonds. But if finding out the truth means agitating a stink bug, then we’d rather not.

Yet you really shouldn’t ignore these critters if you spot them in your yard, as their smell will be the least of your concerns. Stink bugs munch on garden plants and crops, you see. They’re big fans of veggies and fruit in particular. And you’ll be stunned at the damage they do for such a tiny bug.

Okay, then. Brace yourself. The Guardian reported that American farmers lost nearly $40 million worth of apples to the critters back in 2010. That’s unbelievable, right? But just to be clear, they didn’t eat all the fruit down to the core.

Instead, the stink bugs left gnarly brown stains behind in the areas that they munched on. Those apples, unsurprisingly, then became useless. The creatures do the same thing to all the other crops they target, such as cucumbers or grapes. And people in the U.K. are particularly concerned about the latter at the moment.

Why grapes, you ask? Well, should a group of stink bugs invade a grape crop, their odor can ruin entire batches of wine. Given that U.K. wine businesses are on the rise right now, that’s a terrifying thought. For both those in the business and wine lovers, of course!

Given all that these stink bugs are capable of, we can’t help but wonder: has anything been done to get rid of them? Max Barclay shared some rather bleak news while speaking to The Guardian in March 2021. According to him, there’s no way to wipe out an invasive species like this one. And he drew comparisons to another insect in the U.K.

“[The stink bugs] establish [themselves] pretty quickly,” Barclay said. “We’ve seen this in a lot of invasive species before. You find one or two and then they are everywhere. The harlequin ladybird from China arrived in [the United Kingdom in] 2006, and now they are enormously abundant.” Try not to worry, though.

Just because large-scale efforts to terminate the stink bugs won’t work, that doesn’t mean you can’t clear your garden of them. With a few clever tricks and effective methods, you should be able to protect your plants and crops from the pest. You can also shield your home as well, ensuring that they can’t get in.

To start with, check your yard for unwanted weeds. Stink bugs use these bits of greenery to conceal themselves in the garden. So tear them out of the soil, and move anything else that could double as a hideaway. Decorations, ornaments, that kind of stuff. Now it’s time to focus on your flowers.

If the stink bugs have made their presence known, you can create a repellent that’ll soon clear them off. All you need is some kaolin clay solution – that’s the mineral form of clay – a couple of gallons of water and 15 milliliters of dish soap, says website Gardening Know How. Stir them together and pop the mixture into a spray bottle.

Once you’re ready, get squirting. Gardening Know How claims that the stink bugs won’t munch on any flowers or crops that have been doused. Plus, it’ll stop them from dropping their eggs off into the fauna. Sounds like a win to us!

And don’t worry – the mixture won’t damage your flowers or any fruit and veg that you might be growing. Just be sure to run your garden hose over them when the stink bugs are gone. But if you’re looking for a more lethal solution to the problem, you could always invest in a “trap plant.”

No, we’re not referring to a Venus flytrap! Normal plants can easily fulfill this role, depending on their color. You see, stink bugs are drawn to yellow flora. That could include mustard, garlic or sunflowers. Got any of those? If so, listen up.

Find an isolated spot in the garden that’s nowhere near your beloved plants. Then set the “trap” by planting them. The stink bugs should congregate on the colorful flower, leaving everything else behind and out of harm’s way. It’s up to you what happens next. You could just let the critters stay there, which will encourage other animals to pick them off.

Or you might want to dispose of the plant once the stink bugs have moved in. To do that, just dig up the flower and put it into a garbage sack. Don’t throw that away, though. Stick it in a sunny spot, as the heat should kill the bugs after a couple of days or so.

As for your house, it’s a good idea to target any potential openings with a sealant. Stink bugs are apparently very good at looking for gaps in the windows and doors when they’re trying to get in. And given how small they are, it only has to be a tiny hole, so keep your eyes peeled.

Should the stink bugs manage to get in, though, don’t fret – you can still take care of them. All you need is a vacuum cleaner. Yes, there’s nothing wrong with sucking the insects up, providing that you dump the sack once you’re done. You really don’t want that smell to stick around!

So there you have it, folks. If your yard falls prey to stink bugs, these methods should go a long way to get rid of them. But these little insects aren’t necessarily the worst critters you’ll find in your backyard. Yep, there are plenty more where that came from. Just take a look at the list drawn up by the U.K.’s Royal Horticultural Society.

The 2020 rankings included a mix of recognizable names and more obscure critters. The glasshouse mealybug and capsid bug landed in tenth place. Then, a few entries later, ants came in fourth. But the crown was awarded to snails and slugs – both of which just beat the hilariously named vine weevil.

Even though stink bugs didn’t make the cut this time around, a leading insect expert at the RHS warned that they may become regular entrants in future lists if we’re not too careful. His name is Andy Salisbury, and he went into more detail while speaking to the BBC in March 2021.

Salisbury said, “With gardens taking on a more important role in supporting well-being and the environment, it’s important that research into management and mitigation of them continues. And our rankings help inform this focus. It’s also imperative that we continue to anticipate future threats such as the marmorated stink bug to protect our gardens.” So we hope you’re ready for the fight.