What kind of bug is this?

January 14, 2009 2:13 PM

What kind of bug is this? (insect, not programming) http://i41.tinypic.com/308bghs.jpg

These are all over my house and I want them all dead...

now...

What kind of bug is this?

http://i41.tinypic.com/308bghs.jpg

posted by guptaxpn to science & nature (7 comments total)

shield bug or stink bug
posted by sanko at 2:21 PM on January 14

+1 for stink bug. Don't squash them.

As for getting rid of them, remove all points of entry, and look for some correlation as to where they appear. That might get you closer to the nest.
posted by Solomon at 2:24 PM on January 14

yeah, also called Sheild Bugs. Physical removal is probably the best option. They don't bite or anything.
posted by OrangeDrink at 3:15 PM on January 14

I don't know where you are but if you can't recall ever seeing this type of insect before you really should catch one, check out the links below for identification purposes, and possibly call your local Department of Agriculture or USDA-APHIS office. I can't tell from your photo whether or not your bugs (stink bugs indeed) have striped antennae but the brown marmorated stink bug (established in Oregon, New Jersey and Pennsylvania) is a major pest to agricultural areas- esp fruit growing regions and many states have posted alerts for this species.

It isn't unusual to find stink bugs indoors especially in the winter months. They tend to congregate on structures like houses in the fall and then move inside. In large masses they can become a nuisance and emit a foul stench. Recommended removal is to vacuum them up and dispose of the vacuum bag. Then, as the above poster recommended, caulk up or seal areas where they may be sneaking in (always a good weatherizing idea anyway).
posted by rosebengal at 3:51 PM on January 14

Watch out. They can stinkify you even from a distance. I had one squirt its nasty nasty stink juice into my eye once. All I did was look at it.

Stupid stink bug.
posted by mudpuppie at 4:00 PM on January 14 [1 favorite]

Wow, I saw one of these in my apartment about a month ago, and then I saw one in my parents' house a week ago. I had no idea that they had the potential to be so annoying. I just "physically removed" them to the toilet both times. Good heads up.
posted by Third at 10:33 PM on January 14

Definitely take steps to seal their entry points. They love to crawl in through windows and AC units. The chemicals they leave behind attracts more of them :(

Here is a makeshift support network for those suffering, like you
posted by Herschel at 3:27 AM on January 15