Originally found in East Asia, stink bugs weren’t even reported in the United States until the late 1990’s!
Now, stink bugs are found in 38 states ranging from coast to coast. You might have noticed these pests crawling around your home during the fall when the weather gets cooler – but you shouldn’t be afraid of them. Keep reading for some interesting facts about stink bugs for kids to learn more about this smelly pest.
- Some people describe stink bugs as smelling peppery like cilantro while others describe the smell to be like a skunk.
- Stink bugs love to be warm. You can typically find them on the sunny side of your home or in windows. Stink bugs are secretly sun bathers.
- Stink bugs like their smell! During the cooler months, stink bugs release a pheromone when they find a warm cozy spot that attracts other stink bugs.
- Adult stink bugs can fly but younger stink bugs cannot.
- Younger stink bugs are called nymphs. How do nymphs become bigger? By molting their skin. This is like taking off your clothes at the end of the day. They will molt their skin roughly five times before they become full grown.
- Stink bugs are kind of like the skunks of the animal kingdom — they can release their smell to protect themselves.
