Omari Gates
Stink bugs are a common household pest in Australia, often found in homes during late summer or early fall. They are attracted to warmth and can be difficult to get rid of once they settle in. While stink bugs do not feed on blood or bite humans, they emit a foul-smelling odour when they feel threatened, injured, or killed. The diet of stink bugs varies depending on the breed, with some species like the Lychee stink bug known to feed on a range of citrus plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Lychee stink bugs feed on a range of citrus plants. Brown marmorated stink bugs have a broad range of host plants, including apple, apricot, asparagus, beans, beet, blackberry, blueberry, canola, cantaloupe, cabbage, capsicum, and corn, among others. |
| Appearance | Stink bugs are shield-shaped, oval, and green or brown, although there are some brightly coloured varieties. |
| Size | Medium to large, 12-17mm long and 7-10mm wide. |
| Smell | Stink bugs emit a foul-smelling odour when they feel threatened or when injured or killed. People have described the smell as similar to strong herbs, such as coriander or cilantro. |
| Behaviour | Stink bugs are more active during the warmer months and will seek shelter in homes during the colder months. They do not feed or reproduce when inside a home. |
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What You'll Learn
- The brown marmorated stink bug is a pest that can damage over 300 types of fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants
- Stink bugs are a nuisance pest, emitting a foul-smelling odour when disturbed or threatened
- Stink bugs are polyphagous, meaning they have a broad range of host plants
- Stink bugs are more active during warmer months, invading homes in late summer or early fall
- Stink bugs can be repelled by natural remedies such as mint oil
The brown marmorated stink bug is a pest that can damage over 300 types of fruit, vegetables and ornamental plants
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a serious pest that can damage over 300 types of fruit, vegetables, and ornamental plants. While it is not currently found in Australia, it poses a significant threat to the country's agriculture and is, therefore, a high priority for biosecurity. BMSB is known to stow away in cargo, shipping containers, machinery, and goods imported from countries in the Northern Hemisphere, especially during the BMSB risk season from September to April.
BMSB is an invasive species with a very large host range. It feeds on a wide variety of plants, including sweet corn, tree nuts, apples, peaches, figs, mulberries, citrus fruits, and persimmons. The bug's polyphagous nature means it can attack and damage a broad spectrum of crops, causing a reduction in both yield and marketability.
In addition to its economic impact, BMSB is also considered a nuisance pest due to its habit of seeking shelter in large numbers inside buildings, vehicles, and machinery during the winter months. The bug emits a foul-smelling odour when crushed or disturbed, which can be challenging to remove and has been compared to the scent of strong herbs or a skunk.
To prevent the establishment of BMSB in Australia, surveillance and trapping methods are employed during the high-risk season. Members of the public are encouraged to inspect their properties and report any suspected BMSB sightings by calling the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline or submitting photos and information through an online form. Early reporting increases the chance of effective control and eradication.
While BMSB is not a risk to human health, its presence can be a nuisance for households and have negative consequences for agriculture. It is important for Australians to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to prevent the introduction and spread of this destructive pest.
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Stink bugs are a nuisance pest, emitting a foul-smelling odour when disturbed or threatened
Stink bugs are a nuisance pest in Australia, emitting a foul-smelling odour when disturbed or threatened. While they can look harmless, these shield bugs are very hard to get rid of once they settle in your home. They are commonly referred to as stink bugs or shield bugs and are oval-shaped insects that are green or brown in colour, with some brightly coloured varieties. They can reach up to 2 cm in length and are often found in homes during late summer or early autumn, seeking shelter from the cold.
Stink bugs are not a risk to human health, but their smell can be very unpleasant. When threatened or injured, they emit a musky odour, similar to strong herbs such as coriander or cilantro, which can linger in a room for hours. If the stink bug secretion comes into contact with human skin, repeated washing and scrubbing are necessary to remove the smell. The odour is produced by glands in their body and acts as a defence mechanism to protect them from predators.
The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is a particular species of stink bug that is a high priority for Australian biosecurity. It is an exotic plant pest that can attack over 300 types of fruit, ornamental trees, and vegetable crops. BMSB is not native to Australia but is often found at the border by quarantine agencies, stowing away in cargo from the northern hemisphere during the high-risk season from September to April.
To control stink bug infestations, there are natural remedies that can help repel them, such as mint oil, which can be sprayed around entryways. Introducing beneficial insects that are natural enemies of stink bugs can also help keep them away. It is important to take preventive measures and examine properties, sheds, and other areas where stink bugs may be hiding to prevent them from becoming a nuisance.
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Stink bugs are polyphagous, meaning they have a broad range of host plants
The BMSB is not native to Australia, but it is a significant threat to the country's agriculture due to its broad host range and ability to cause serious damage to crops. During the BMSB risk season, which is from September to April each year, there is an increased risk of this pest entering the country through imported goods and cargo.
In addition to the BMSB, other types of stink bugs found in Australia also have a diverse diet. For instance, the Lychee stink bug, which was observed in Sydney's inner-city suburbs, feeds on a range of citrus plants.
Stink bugs are also known to invade homes, especially during the warmer months. While they do not feed or reproduce indoors, they can be a nuisance due to their foul-smelling odour, which they emit when they feel threatened or are disturbed.
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Stink bugs are more active during warmer months, invading homes in late summer or early fall
The BMSB is an exotic plant pest and a high priority for Australian biosecurity. It is not native to Australia but is known to stow away on cargo and imported goods from the northern hemisphere, especially between September and April. This is the BMSB risk season, when heightened surveillance is conducted at high-risk locations in Melbourne and on selected imports.
During the warmer months, stink bugs become more active and start feeding and reproducing. They are strong fliers and can move from host to host during spring and summer, feeding on a wide range of fruiting plants, including ornamentals and vegetables. Their preferred plants include apples, peaches, raspberries, sweet corn, green beans, capsicums, and tomatoes.
The BMSB is a small, shield-shaped insect, measuring around 1.5 cm in length. It gets its name from its mottled brown coloration and the foul odour it emits when threatened or crushed. Its distinct features include alternating light and dark bands on its antennae and a marbled pattern on its abdomen.
To prevent the spread of stink bugs, it is important for anyone importing goods or travelling to Australia, especially from high-risk regions, to carefully inspect their cargo and report any sightings of stink bugs to the relevant authorities.
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Stink bugs can be repelled by natural remedies such as mint oil
Stink bugs are a nuisance pest that can cause major damage to fruit and vegetable crops and ornamental plants. While the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is not established in Australia, it is a high priority for biosecurity as it can attack over 300 types of fruit, ornamental trees, and vegetable crops. These pests try to enter the country by hiding in imported shipping containers, machinery, goods, and packaging during the high-risk season from September to April.
Stink bugs can be effectively repelled by natural remedies, specifically certain essential oils. Stink bugs generally avoid strong-smelling plants, possibly because they rely on their own strong smell for defense and signaling to females. Mint oil, in particular, can be used to deter stink bugs from vegetables. Mint oil has low phytotoxicity, so it won't harm your plants, and its strong scent will repel the stink bugs.
To use mint oil as a repellent, dilute it with water and spray it on affected plants, ensuring that the undersides of the leaves are thoroughly covered. You can also spray it around entryways and other areas where stink bugs may enter your home. Just be sure to keep children and animals away from the area until it dries, as some people may be sensitive to the scent.
In addition to mint oil, thyme essential oil has been found to be lethal to eggs, nymphs, and adult stink bugs. Oregano essential oil is also effective at repelling and killing all life stages of stink bugs, although it is not as potent as thyme. Essential oils from Aloysia, or lemon verbena, are also effective in killing stink bug eggs and nymphs.
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Frequently asked questions
Stink bugs in Australia have been found to feed on a range of citrus plants. The Lychee stink bug, for instance, has been known to terrorise Sydney's inner-city suburbs, particularly the China Doll trees in Bellevue Street in the suburb of Surry Hills.
If you find a stink bug in your home, refrain from hitting it as it will emit a foul-smelling spray as a defence mechanism. This spray is an alkaline chemical combination with hints of the citrus plants the bug has been feeding on. If the spray comes in contact with your skin, you will need to wash and scrub vigorously to get rid of the smell. Catch the bug in a container and release it outside.
Stink bugs are attracted to warmth and tend to enter homes during late summer or early fall. You can use natural remedies such as mint oil to repel them. Mix mint oil with water and spray it on entryways like windows and doors.
