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Insects · Pest library
Stink bug control in Toronto, the GTA and cottage country
The brown marmorated stink bug is an invasive insect now found in parts of southern Ontario. In the fall it moves into homes to spend the winter, and it gives off a strong smell when disturbed or crushed.
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How to identify stink bugs
The stink bug that ends up inside homes is usually this one.
Brown marmorated stink bugs
Shield shaped and mottled brown, with light bands on the antennae and along the edges of the body.
Native stink bugs
Some native species are green or brown and rarely gather in homes in large numbers.
Signs to look for
- Shield shaped brown bugs on sunny walls and window frames in fall
- Bugs on windows and lights indoors in late winter and spring
- A sharp, unpleasant smell when bugs are disturbed
- Bugs in attics and around soffits
Why stink bugs come inside
What draws them in
Like other overwintering pests, stink bugs look for a sheltered place to wait out the cold. Gaps around windows, siding, soffits and vents let them into walls and attics.
Health and home risks
Stink bugs don't bite people or damage homes. The main problems are the smell they give off when crushed and the numbers that can gather indoors. Outdoors, they can damage fruit and vegetable plants.
How we handle stink bugs
Treat sunny walls
Exterior treatment where bugs gather in late summer and fall.
Find where they're getting in
We look at gaps around windows, doors, siding and vents.
Treat sheltering spots
Targeted treatment where bugs hide in attics and wall spaces.
Advise on removal
How to remove bugs indoors without setting off the smell.
Prevention tips
- Seal gaps around windows, doors, siding and soffits
- Repair window and door screens
- Fit screens over attic and soffit vents
- Turn off outdoor lights you don't need in the fall
- Vacuum bugs up rather than crushing them, then empty the vacuum outside
Common questions about stink bugs
Why do stink bugs smell?
They release a strong odour to defend themselves when they're disturbed or crushed.
Do stink bugs breed in my house?
No. They breed outdoors in summer. The ones inside came in to spend the winter.
Related pests
Reviewed by PestDepart's licensed exterminators. For health concerns, including bites or stings, contact your doctor or local public health unit.