With only one confirmed sighting in Texas, the brown marmorated stink bug has yet to become a pervasive presence in our great state, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t encounter one in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the near future. As expert hitchhikers, these non-native insects have already invaded several states and left a number of ruined crops in their wake. ABC Home & Commercial Services wants you to know the facts about this pesky insect.Origins of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs
The first North American sighting of brown marmorated stink bugs was in Pennsylvania in 1998, and since then, they have spread to several East Coast states and as far west as California and Oregon. They are native to Japan, China, Taiwan and Korea, but researchers have yet to discover how they managed to hitch a ride to the United States. Experts do know, however, that they made their recent trip to Corpus Christi by way of a trailer that was transported from Pennsylvania.The Problem With Marmorated Stink Bugs
Brown marmorated stink bugs pose no threat to humans or animals, other than the foul odors they emit when they enter homes in the fall and winter to escape the cold. However, they are agricultural pests that cause extensive damage to plants and food crops, including soybeans, corn, and tree fruits. As a sucking insect, the brown marmorated stink bug pierces the skins and outer surfaces of fruits and vegetables, damaging the appearance of crops and often rendering them inedible.
Invasive Species
Because these insects are not native to Texas or the United States, they are considered an invasive species. This means that they do not fit into the local ecosystem or have natural predators to keep their populations in check, which allows them to reproduce rapidly and inflict widespread, costly damage to the environment. Other invasive insects that have disrupted local ecosystems in Texas include the red imported fire ant, the European earwig and the citrus root weevil.
Pest Control in Dallas
Brown marmorated stink bugs are similar in appearance to our native stink bugs in Texas and have a shield-like shape. If you spot one in your home or garden, contact ABC Home & Commercial. Our entomologists will determine if the stink bug is a native or invasive species, and our Dallas pest control experts will eliminate them from your home and identify and seal entry points to prevent them from invading your space again.