Stink bugs — particularly the brown marmorated stink bug — have become an increasing problem in Dallas-Fort Worth homes, especially in fall. Shield-shaped, gray-brown, and about the size of a thumbnail, stink bugs invade homes by the dozens or hundreds as temperatures drop, looking for warm overwintering spots inside attics, walls, and around windows. Their name is well earned: when crushed or disturbed, stink bugs release a powerful, lingering odor that's hard to remove from carpet, upholstery, and air.

Stink bugs don't bite, sting, or damage homes structurally. But they're a major nuisance pest: they cluster around windows in fall, get trapped in light fixtures, fall from ceilings unexpectedly, and contaminate any space they invade with their distinctive smell. They also damage gardens — feeding on tomatoes, peppers, beans, fruit trees, and ornamental plants throughout spring and summer.

The CanMan's stink bug program focuses on prevention (sealing entry points before fall invasion), perimeter treatment, and targeted indoor treatment of active clusters. Vacuuming stink bugs with a regular vacuum is a mistake — the bag/canister will smell for weeks. Our treatment approach catches them before they get inside and treats them in ways that minimize odor.

Stink bug pressure in DFW has grown significantly over the last decade as the brown marmorated stink bug has spread south. Fall invasions peak in October-November as temperatures drop and stink bugs seek overwintering sites. Homes near gardens, fruit trees, agricultural land, or greenbelts see the heaviest pressure — common in Frisco, McKinney, Prosper, Celina, Anna, and parts of Plano. Older homes with original siding, mature landscape, and gaps around fascia boards face heavier invasions. Treatment timing matters: fall perimeter treatment BEFORE the invasion is dramatically more effective than treating after stink bugs are already inside.