Shuswap residents are starting to see stink bugs crawling around, and they are not happy about it.
Facebook is filled with photos of the bugs in the Shuswap, with experts saying this is just the start of their appearance.
According to the Columbia Shuswap Invasive Species Society (CSISS), the brown marmorated stink bug (Halyomorpha halys) is an invasive species in Canada. It has a brown, shield-shaped body with a marbled appearance.
Although they cannot bite or sting, they will leave an unpleasant odour if crushed. In summer, the bugs feed on fruits, vegetables, seeds, green plants and tree bark, causing major issues for orchard farmers as the insects’ enzymes cause plants to rot.
According to the Invasive Species Council of B.C., female bugs can lay up to 400 eggs during the summer on host plants. There can be up to two generations per year if the weather is warm enough. The bugs mature in about five weeks and then lay eggs the following spring.
Despite being a nuisance in homes, these stink bugs have other significant environmental impacts. According to the CSISS, the insects destroy fruit and vegetable crops, leaving plants shrivelled and discoloured.
So what should people do if they come across this insect in their home?
Do not squish the bug. Instead, vacuum or sweep it up. The CSISS suggests sealing doors and windows to prevent the insects from coming inside.
Bugs in the home can be trapped using homemade traps, such as a pan of soapy water with a desk lamp above it or a two-litre pop bottle with a battery-powered light.
