Stink Bug Season In New Jersey

Fall is chilly mornings, pumpkin spice EVERYTHING, and stink bugs

Back to school pictures have flooded social media feeds, Dunkin’ has brought back Pumpkin Spice, and you can find fall décor everywhere you shop. Yes friends, fall is almost upon us. On September 22, some of us will cry as we bid adieu to summer while others will joyfully embrace autumn and all its wonder.  Whether you hate fall or love it, we must issue this reminder - it’s also the season for stink bugs in New Jersey.

stink bug on a pencil in new jersey home

First of all, what are stink bugs?

Great question. The brown marmorated stink bug is friend to few and enemy to crop growers in New Jersey and several other states.  The website, Stop BMSB, calls stink bugs voracious eaters that damage fruits, vegetables, and nut crops. Originally from Asia, the BMSB was accidentally introduced into the United States in the late 1990s and spread quickly to mid-Atlantic states, causing significant damage to crops as they went. 

Stink bugs are named for the foul-smelling odor they release from a gland found on their thoraxes. A defense mechanism to deter threats, their smell and stink bugs as a whole are not dangerous to human health.  They just really stink – in more ways than one. 

What do stink bugs look like

In order to identify stink bugs in and around your home, here’s what you should look for:

  • Shield shaped bugs that are mottled gray to brown in color
  • Abdomens that have alternating dark and light bands
  • Antennae and legs that have white bands

Why do I have stink bugs in my house and on my property?

When it gets cold out, we throw on sweatshirts or coats and grab our favorite beanies to stay warm. Stink bugs look for warm, safe places to overwinter. As temperatures start to cool down in Montclair, Chatham, and Clarksburg as well as communities throughout New Jersey, these pests will start moving indoors in large numbers in order to secure shelter. How do they get inside? Here’s few potential entry points:

  • Gaps around pipes and other utilities
  • Vents not covered 
  • Cracks and crevices found around the foundation, windows, and elsewhere on the structure
  • Gaps under doors where weather stripping is failing or not installed

On a sidenote, it’s not just stink bugs that sneak inside via the avenues we just discussed. Ants, spiders, termites, and other household pests find their way inside using these same routes.  

But what’s attracting stink bugs to my home?

Outdoor lighting, moisture, and food are the likely culprits attracting stink bugs. Keep outdoor lighting to a minimum, eliminating moisture build up inside and outside of your home, fixing clogged drains, repairing leaky pipes, and keeping your kitchen clean and foodstuffs contained in containers with tight fitting lids are a great tips to keep stink bugs (and a whole slew of other bugs out as well as a couple types of rodents in New Jersey) out of your home!

Killing stink bugs won’t attract other stink bugs

Sounds weird but trust us, we get asked a lot if killing a stink bug attracts other stink bugs. You’ll be glad to know the answer in short is no. While stink bugs will emit an odor to attract other stink bugs, killing one will not attract more to your home. 

Ways you can keep stink bugs away from your home

Essential oils like mint are said to be a natural stink bug repellent but it will not kill stink bugs. Another DIY suggestion is Diatomaceous Earth. A natural sedimentary rock that contains compounds which naturally break down the protective waxy layer on stink bug exoskeletons, it works by dehydrating stinks bugs.  

Professional stink bug removal is the ideal solution to combat a stink bug infestation. It is best scheduled ahead of time – meaning before these pests become a problem. At Arrow Pest Control, we start scheduling stink bug control services midsummer BEFORE these bugs start looking for their winter home. This service includes an exterior treatment that prohibits stinks bugs from making their way inside as well as exclusion work. Pest exclusion, in layman’s terms, is the act of pest-proofing. A licensed Arrow pest control technician will seal off potential entry points. 

Should you sign up for stink bug treatment?

Sure, you can live with stink bugs in your home. They will not bite and do not reproduce inside. BUT they are bugs… inside your home.  Uninvited. Servicing Essex, Hudson, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Somerset, and Union counties, Arrow Pest Control is ready to help you avoid stink bugs in and around your home this fall. Contact us today to schedule your stink bug treatment or visit our stink bug control page for more information!

Jeff K

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‟I have a service plan with Arrow and use them quite often. Never disappointed, always friendly and knowledgeable and come right out and address the matter. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them at all.”

Jeffrey K.
Marlboro, NJ
Jared L.

Testimonials

‟We have a quarterly service plan with Arrow. They are not only focused on addressing issues they put preventative measures in place to prevent issues from happening, like looking for and sealing the places where bugs can get into the home. The team are professional, friendly, thorough and provide details about every step of their process. We have had several different technicians over the last 2 years and each follows the same process and guidelines. Definitely recommend for treatment and prevention.”

Jared L.
Manalapan, NJ
Jeff K.

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‟My family has used Arrow since the early 80's. In our new home we use them as well. Jason came yesterday and did a great job. Thanks again for your great service to our community!”

Jeff K.
Farmingdale, NJ
John C.

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‟Best customer service and the owner is the most honest business man. He will tell you the truth and not scam you like the rest of the big named pest control companies. Highly recommend Arrow has my business for life.”

John C.
Bloomfield, NJ
Joe F.

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‟I used Arrow Pest Control for the first time today and I was totally satisfied, I reached out to them on Sunday and spoke to Beatrice and she set me up an appointment for Monday morn for an estimate and Monday afternoon the technician came and serviced my house.....I wish I could have gave them 10 stars, very helpful, right to the point, very professional, on time and no games.....I highly recommend arrow pest control in Morganville.......thank you J.F.”

Joe F.
Matawan, NJ
Lauren C.

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‟With Covid hitting everyone, the exterminator that helped us was respectful of the safety with a mask, boots and gloves. He was very informative and explained everything as he did it.”

Lauren C.
Old Bridge, NJ
Renee R

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‟We’ve been using Arrow for the last 4 years. We have a monthly plan, so they come and service the interior and exterior regularly. We can also call them anytime for anything we see...wasp, wasp nests, rodents, ants, whatever...our coverage literally includes the mailbox at the curb all the way to the furthest point of our backyard fence and everything in between. All the technicians we’ve had, including Jason, were friendly and knowledgeable. But, Jason, goes above and beyond with his service and willingness to do more for his customers. Highly recommend Arrow Pest Control!”

Renee R.
Short Hills, NJ
Lisa M.

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‟Tom is amazing! Arrow is the best company! Love their services. They truly care about their clients. ”

Lisa M.
Port Monmouth, NJ
Elena C.

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‟Today was my first appointment with Arrow and Jason made everything seamless and efficient. Not only was he knowledgeable, he took his time explaining everything to me which proved he cared. I’m happy to have found Arrow and will continue to request Jason for my services! Thank you!”

Elena C.
Manalapan, NJ
Deb C.

Testimonials

‟All the professional qualities a business such as Arrow Pest Control would expect a service technician to exhibit, Brian, effortlessly presented. From my standpoint, he offered GOLD STAR ”

Deb C.
Jackson, NJ
Mary F.

Testimonials

‟Recommended to us by neighbors, Arrow arrived promptly to treat our new to us home. The house is built on a slab which small ants love to nest in.

Their program is such that they return til the problem is solved. Today was their third visit. Steve was very thorough, professional and had a great sense of humor. I am hoping not to see him again this season! I would recommend based on our current relationship.
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Mary F.
Lakewood, NJ
Kathleen F.

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‟I’m so happy we went with Arrow! We had been using another pest control company and still had a lot of spiders and crickets!! We switched to Arrow and after the first use with them, all the bugs were gone. They do a great job, very thorough, professional, friendly and very knowledgeable. I highly recommend using their services if you have any bug issues!”

Kathleen F.
Toms River, NJ
Deborah S.

Testimonials

‟We were very pleased with how easy it was to schedule a first appointment with Rob and how reassuring and thorough his inspection was. A few hours later Josh arrived for the first treatment and was professional and took the time to answer all our questions. We didn’t hesitate to sign-up for Home Protection Program after seeing the quality and level of service we will receive.”

Deborah S.
Monroe, NJ
Dr. Lisa L.

Testimonials

‟Arrow and Brian with Arrow were amazing! He came same day when we heard scary noises in our attic. He found mice and a loose wire and even took a photo so we could see. He worked hard to crawl into a tiny space and we are so appreciate!! We can sleep tonight thanks to him.”

Dr. Lisa L.
East Brunswick, NJ
Thomas N.

Testimonials

‟Extremely professional and always on time. I was having an issue with mice and decided to call Arrow. They were able to get here next day and have an inspection. I set up with one of their monthly contracts and they were out to my home once a week continuously monitoring the situation until it was fully taken care of. I truly couldn’t recommend them more.”

Thomas N.
Monroe, NJ
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