Backyards require plenty of attention and if you are not careful enough, your precious yard will lose all of its beauty. What we are talking about this time, is the tiny brown bug that can wreak havoc. If you think that its appearance doesn’t look that harmful, you might want to reconsider. Luckily, we have the right solution for you, if you ever spot one.

1.        Identify it first

So, what kind of insect are we really looking for? Identifying certain insects isn’t always an easy task. However, in this case we are looking for a brown bug that has a round body and six legs. Another feature that may help you identify it, would be its back, because it kind of looks like an old shield.

2.      The grown insect

The problem with insects is that most of the time they are quite small and this one isn’t any different. This brown bug is not even an inch, 0.7 inches to be more exact, so spotting them will be an issue. Despite their size, they sure know how to mess a backyard up. Oh, let’s not forget another very important detail, they also have wings!

3.   Don’t forget about this

If you thought that these bugs are satisfied with just ruining your garden, you are very wrong. They can also mess up your house. They aren’t limited by anything, so if you don’t pay any attention they will invade your entire house, which is why it is important to deal with them as soon as you see them.

4.   Stink Bug

We’re not joking, this bug is actually known as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, or Halyomorpha halys. Just by the name you can see that this one is bad news. Seeing the havoc that they can wreak, we are quite certain that they are deserving of this name.

5.   Where do they come from?

It is interesting to know that Halyomorpha halys has originated from Asia. In the beginning they were quite spread out in China, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea. While that may have been their home in the beginning, they managed to spread out throughout the Western world.

6.   Invasive bugs

As we have already mentioned, they can be quite invasive as a species, but the real question remains, as to how they managed make their presence known throughout the world. Max Barclay, the National History Museum’s head of Coleoptera collection, has a very interesting theory about this, especially about their appearance in the U.K.

7.   Hitched a ride on a ship

According to Barclay’s interview given to The Guardian back in March 2021, this bug probably came to Britain through some overseas shipments. It’s incredible to think about how a cargo ship managed to bring a very unwelcomed guest to the U.K. However, there is more to this than pure accident, as to why they may have hitched a ride.

8.   Hibernating bugs

Barclay further stated that stink bugs are quite inactive during the colder months of the year, and for that reason they seek a place to hide until the temperatures increase. This process is known as “diapause.” In other words, it’s hibernation for tiny bugs. Come to think of it, a ship isn’t such a bad idea to hide yourself from low temperatures?

9.   Warmer temperatures

Global warming is making us face problems that we didn’t have to face before, and one of them is the increase in numbers of stink bugs. Since they as a species thrive in warmer temperatures, we can only expect to see their numbers soar. Not a pretty sight for sure.

10.                A perfect home

In August of 2020, a group of specialists shared a very concerning research for Switzerland. They estimated that in the beginning of the next century, Switzerland could be a great host for these annoying little bugs. As we have seen so far, traveling there isn’t a big deal for the stink bug, the real problem is getting rid of them.

11.                Dr. Haye

Dr. Tim Haye is a specialist that participated in the research for CABI also known as the Centre for Agriculture and Biosciences International. Dr. Haye shared some incredible findings regarding the stink bug back in September 2020 in the CABI website.

12.                Global warming

According to Dr. Haye, climate change is already modifying many species across the globe and stink bugs are no exception to that rule. Climate change affects their reproduction, and do that their life cycle. It is quite clear that these changes will affect many countries, and Switzerland’s north-western part is quite in dangerous because of that. The future generations of Switzerland might have to deal with an unwanted guest.

13.                Monitoring the situation

Continuing his explanation about the situation of the spread of the stink bug in Switzerland, Dr. Haye stated that going southwards we can expect them to reach the Alps’ foothills, and even higher latitudes could become hospitable for them. As you can see, many places will be affected.

14.                Reasons for concern

You may think that the next century won’t arrive for many more decades, but that doesn’t mean that we can sit back and relax. If you want to see what happens when they start their invasion, don’t look any further than America, and you will understand that we should be more preoccupied with this problem.

15.                U.S.A.

According to PestWorld.org the stink bug was first found in the States back in 1996 in Pennsylvania, Allentown to be more exact. It took five years to confirm its identity. Up until then, no one had a clue that they had just started spreading throughout the entire country.

16.                Reaching North Carolina

In the meantime they started their migration throughout eastern part of the United States. First they reached New Jersey and in 2004 they managed to migrate to Virginia. Recently they have managed to come to North Carolina. This is quite a cause for concern because this is just a small fraction of their movements across the country.

17.                The entire U.S.

To be entire accurate, these bugs have made their home in no less than 44 U.S. states. Yes, you read that number correctly, they have already invaded the majority of the country, and when we put into perspective how big these states are, you can’t help but wonder, how long will it take them to complete the entire list of the states?

18.                Why the Stink Bug?

There’s a reason why Halyomorpha halys is called the stink bug, and the name gives it away easily. Just like a skunk, they fire a smell to keep themselves safe when they feel they are in danger. It’s quite interesting to know that the smell can cover a space of few inches.

19.                What does it smell like?

According to some people it smells like cilantro. However, according to The Guardian the stench reminds us more of almonds. In this case we would rather believe The Guardian rather than having to smell it ourselves.

20.                Don’t ignore them

Speaking of their smell, that should be your least important problem if you encounter them in your yard. Stink bugs love to munch on crops and garden plans. They are especially fond of fruits and vegetables, and you will be amazed at how much damage they can do for such a small bug.

21.                U.S. farmers

You won’t be ready for this number for sure. The Guardian has reported that an incredible $40 million dollars were lost to these pesky critters. That is an incredible amount of money worth in apples. Thinking of what they might do in the future is even scarier.


Souces: topgentlemen