Have you ever wondered if stink bugs bite or sting?
No?! Well neither had I – until the hubster had a close encounter with a green stink bug earlier this year.
He was doing some work outside around dusk, when something landed on the back of his neck. He brushed it away, but the damage was already done.
It felt like the area was on fire and within seconds he came out in a rash, so he headed straight for the shower. This pic was taken straight after that …
After a couple of hours the pain subsided somewhat, just like a burn, but remained painful for several days – and it did indeed look like a burn or as if the skin was blistered. Nasty!
This pic was taken the next day …
And this one was taken three days later. As you can see the area scabbed over and was still tender to the touch.
After a week or two the scab came off, but to this day, there is still a noticeable dark patch right where the stink bug landed.
Do stink bugs bite or sting? When I did some research I found that they can indeed bite, and hubster’s symptoms fit with what the Stinkbugs site described: “People who were bitten experienced a small red sore in the bite area of their skin. The pain is quite immense and can be compared to that of bee sting. The pain lasts for about three days causing soreness and puss production.”
Given the size of the rash however, I suspect it is much more likely that it’s from the bug’s stinky excretion, rather than a bite.
3 Reasons to Avoid Stink Bugs
Most of us avoid stink bugs anyway, because:
1 – Insects … ewwww …
2 – And also, they STINK!
But now we have a third reason to give them a wide berth:
3 – Stink bugs can give you a nasty rash!
What has surprised us the most though, is how long it has lasted – it’s nearly four months now and he still has a dark patch on his neck from where the stink bug landed.
Did you realise this about stink bugs?!
This is SO weird. I hate stink bugs!!!
They’re yukky!!! And how mean of it to bite Darby!
I don’t think I’ve ever encountered a stink bug and now I don’t think I ever want to!!!
I’ve seen them in the garden but have never been scared of them before … but now I am!
There are so many different types of insects in different areas! I’ve never seen that one, but have to learn now about all the different bugs here in Nevada. We had gotten quite used to the ones in Georgia after 10 years, but now I have to figure it out again. Anything that looks like a roach creeps me out and just got my first scare here with that issue yesterday. Ick.
Bugs are just nasty! When I was researching for this post Deanna, it seems stink bugs are indeed in the US of A – not sure which areas though. They can also come in brown, and some people call them “shield bugs” because of their shape.
Wow, that’s horrid. Nasty little thing! I didn’t know they could bite either. Hope hubster is all better now.
I’m happy to report he’s none the worse for his experience.
They are indeed in the US. I live in Wisconsin and have the exact same burns on my arm after an encounter with a stink bug last week. I didnt think to wash my arm off as I had no idea it could be so bad. I’ll definitely have scars. From a stink bug.
Ouch Hilary! I hope you’ve managed to find a cream that soothes it. I’ve also read that taking an antihistamine can help with the allergic reaction so that might be worth a try.