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First It was Bedbugs, Now It's Stinkbugs

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES

A few weeks ago I wrote about the infestations of bedbugs that are seemingly catching a ride in every suitcase in the country.  And then this morning I opened the paper to read about stinkbugs!

On the bright side stinkbugs are harmless - they don't bite, they don't sting and they don't carry harmful diseases. They DO reek havoc on fruits and vegetables and ornamental shrubs and trees.


But the Washington Post noted "There is no easy way to kill lots of the bugs at once. They have no natural predators in the United States. Pesticides don't work effectively. The insects travel easily - hitching rides on buses and construction material - and adapt to winter in homes.

As a result, they have flourished, spreading to 29 states since they arrived in Allentown, Pa., in 2001, likely stowaways in a shipping container from Asia. They are native to Japan, Korea and China, where they are known as "stinky big sisters."


Experts say homeowners should prevent them from coming indoors by sealing cracks and openings around doors and windows.

For more, click here.  In the meantime, I'm going to start caulking.

Posted by

Michael Bergin

Your Realtor in Alexandria and Northern Virginia - ABR - SRES - Military Relocation

Comments (10)

Faina Reinhardt
HotRentalsNY.com - Manhattan, NY

Oh gosh! It never stops! As if bedbugs wasn't bad enough!

Sep 26, 2010 03:33 PM
Jon Budish
Resident Realty - Fort Collins, CO

When I lived in Minnesota they would get in my car from time to time. PEW!

Sep 26, 2010 03:35 PM
Marcie Sandalow
Marcie Sandalow, Compass 301.758.4894 - Bethesda, MD
Bethesda Chevy Chase DC real estate

Michael- I've been seeing these critters for years.  We call them "prehistoric" bugs... not sure why.  Not so stinky unless you step on 'em.  I'll take these over bedbugs any old time. 

Sep 26, 2010 03:40 PM
Marchel Peterson
Results Realty - Spring, TX
Spring TX Real Estate E-Pro

Michael, We have so many bugs in the Houston area; we just don't need any more.  I hope they stay away from us.  My husband is good at sealing all those cracks though; which is truly helpful!

Sep 26, 2010 03:43 PM
Margaret Rome Baltimore 410-530-2400
HomeRome Realty 410-530-2400 - Pikesville, MD
Sell Your Home With Margaret Rome

Yep, we have these but don't see them as a problem. I am not going to kill or smash them! Just take them back outside.

No problem, no smell.

Margaret

Sep 26, 2010 04:15 PM
Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Faina - These little guys are just smelly, not evil.

Sep 27, 2010 01:38 AM
Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Jon - At least its not a skunk smell!

Marcie - I think the article also referenced them as 'prehistoric' - something about the hard shell on the outside.

Sep 27, 2010 01:41 AM
Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Marchel - Bugs are going to get in almost regardless of what you do but one or two I can deal with.  Fortunately my spouse is not the least bit fazed by bugs or spiders. 

Sep 27, 2010 01:43 AM
Michael Bergin
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - ABR - SRES - Alexandria, VA
Northern Virginia Real Estate

Margaret -

I bet you are an organic gardener too.  Gentle does it.

Sep 27, 2010 01:44 AM
Silvia Dukes PA, Broker Associate, CRS, CIPS, SRES
Tropic Shores Realty - Ich spreche Deutsch! - Spring Hill, FL
Florida Waterfront and Country Club Living

Michael, we have them here in Florida.  I think they come in green as well.  They don't start stinking until you squash them and I usually only see them outside, thanks for that!

Sep 28, 2010 12:11 PM