Being a So Cal native, when I hear the term “Stink Bug” I immediately think of a large, black beetle which, when threatened, stands on its head and actually sprays an incredibly vile smelling liquid. I’m serious – this stuff is vomit inducing.
But I’m not in So Cal anymore… I’m in Maryland…
Imagine my surprise when a certain child in my life spied the, to me, harmless looking brown beetle creeping along the window sill, squawked at the top of his lungs, “STINK BUG” and promptly fled the room, his hands covering his nose and mouth.
My reaction to said bug was to grab a paper towel and disinvite it from my home. I tend to believe that uninvited critters of the insect and arachnid varieties are defacto signing their own death warrants by entering my domicile.
Said bug did, in fact, smell unpleasant, but certainly not enough to warrant the violent reaction I had just witnessed. Amused, I wondered what that kid would do if ever confronted with what I call a Stink Bug.
I chalked it up to childish histrionics and went about my business.
Over the next few weeks, more and more of those critters kept showing up. And they are remarkably adept at squeezing through the tightest spaces. Beautiful weather has meant my doors and windows are open. It’s not uncommon for me to find a half dozen or so of them clinging to the screen. Nor is it uncommon to find that an industrious one or two has managed to get beyond the screen.
After finding my screen door quite covered in the ugly little buggers, I broke down and looked them up. Sure enough, they are called “Stink Bugs” – huh. Technically, some Brown Marmorated something or another. And they do stink – though I still maintain that they are no where near as obnoxious as the black Stink Bugs I grew up with. Besides, these things don’t seem to spray their stink…I don’t even notice any smell unless they’re squished.
But when it comes to dispatching unwanted insectoid critters, that’s what vacuum cleaners are for!
