Do stink bugs bite? The way these critters look, one could easily imagine that they do. They look like miniature reptiles due the “shield-like” appearance of their upper body that appears to have the same texture as that of a reptile. They possess two large antennae and long legs, and if you have ever seen the underbelly of one of these creatures, it might just creep out anyone who possesses even a mild case of entomophobia (the fear of insects). If you were to see one of these bugs, you might not hold it past them that they are capable of biting people or animals.
But the fact of the matter is that stink bugs do not make it a point to bite humans or animals. They are not such that they are wont to suck the blood of any particular person or animal. They are not even carnivorous. (Stink bugs are actually vegetarians. They feed primarily off of fruits and vegetables.)
Stink bugs do possess a proboscis (a needle-like appendage that protrudes from the front of an insect) that serves as their mouths. The proboscis is used for piercing the skin of their food, be it an apple, a pear, a grape, or any other type of fruit for example, and then sucking the juice out of the fruit in order to consume it.
But that is all that the proboscis is used for. It is used for piercing food in order to consume it. It is not used in order to bite human beings or animals. There is a however a great deal of conflicting information on the the Internet as to whether or not stink bugs do actually bite or not.
On one hand, you will find that there are many people posting in the discussion forums online that they swear by the fact that stink bugs can and do bite, because they supposedly have actually been bitten by one (or at least by what they thought was a stink bug).
On the other hand, research generally indicates that stink bugs do not, simply because they do not possess the physical capability to do so. This assertion is also supported by the fact in nature, we observe that stink bugs rely on the emanation of a repulsive stench as their self-defense mechanism against predators. There has been no evidence to indicate that stink bugs bite their predators in self-defense or that they bite any other would-be prey (they have none, since they are herbivorous creatures). Instead, they rely solely on this stench in order to drive away potential threats. (Hence, the name “stink” bug.)
Of course, if you you do manage to come into close contact with a stink bug and trap it in a corner where it is unable to flee and fly away, and you were to harass it to the point where even after releasing its trademark odor, you stand your ground firm and continue to threaten it, it may very well reflexively react and seek to bite you as a last resort in order to attempt to drive you away.
If you do suspect that you have been bitten by a stink bug, you should seek to treat it right away. You will know that you have been bitten by a stink bug if you start to feel irritation on the part of the skin where the stink bug had come in contact with you and the area starts to swell. While a stink bug bite may not be life threatening, it is something that requires prompt attention, as any other insect bite would.
Do stink bugs bite? Not unless their foul odor is not driving away their perceived threat and they are being physically threatened. There are many easy ways to thwart the threat of stink bugs and kill them without ever feeling that you were under any threat of being bit. You can use a vacuum to suck them up, you can set up stink bug traps, and you can safeguard your home against the invasion of stink bugs from the outside. Learn some tips on stink bug control.