Stink Bugs Invade the Quad Cities

I've lived in the Quad Cities for a little over 17 years now. Every autumn, I am used to seeing what to me are ladybugs, but I'm told are Japanese Beetles, crawling all over the screens of my house. This year, I've been seeing something bigger, and a little disconcerting because I have never seen anything like it before.

I am told they are stink bugs. Known scientifically as Halyomorpha halys, or brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB).

As it turns out, I may not have seen them before because they arrived in the U.S. from Asia about the same time I did. They are native to China, Japan, and Taiwan and were accidentally introduced to the U.S. in 1998.  Many would say the case is the same with me.

According to a report on WQAD.com, stink bugs are more prevalent this season because of all the rain we've had this year.

The bugs aren't harmful, they're just looking for a warm place to Netflix and chill.  That is, until you squish one, which I did yesterday.  It's one nasty odor.

They should be gone once the first hard frost arrives.  In the meantime, swish them away - don't squish them.