Stink Bugs

Size: 12 - 17mm.

Color: Mottled brown / grayish-brown.

Unique Characteristics: In British Columbia, one of the most troublesome invasive insects is the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug. Originally from East Asia, this species was first confirmed in BC in 2015 and has since become an increasing concern for homeowners and growers alike.

As temperatures drop in the fall, these stink bugs move indoors to overwinter, hiding inside walls, attics, and other sheltered spaces. When spring and summer arrive, they become active again outdoors. Females are highly reproductive, laying up to 400 eggs in a season, which hatch within just a few days.

They typically live and feed in trees and other plants, but their tendency to gather in large numbers makes them especially noticeable. Although they are not harmful to people, they are considered a major nuisance because of their strong odor and their habit of invading homes during cooler months.

Control: Prevention is the most effective way to manage these insects. Buildings should be carefully inspected for cracks, gaps, and other potential entry points. Areas around windows, doors, siding, vents, and utility openings should be properly sealed to prevent them from getting inside. Using pesticides indoors is generally not advised, as it is often ineffective and unnecessary for controlling overwintering stink bugs.

Based on the Government of British Columbia’s guide, home owners can gather the bugs and drown them in a soapy water solution. Squashing the bugs will release a strong odor, so that is not encouraged.