A story from PennLive cites the one benefit of the frigid temperatures of late: A smaller stink bug infestation.

According to the report, “A Virginia Tech experiment estimated that the subzero temperatures were fatal to most of the stink bugs that had not found shelter to stay warm for the winter, according to the National Pest Management Association.”

We don’t have to tell anyone who lives in this area about the nuisance of the stink bug invasion. While generally harmless in the household, killing them produces an odor we can best describe as cilantro on steroids. At their peak of infestation, we found them everywhere, but especially behind picture frames, in piles of paper, and crawling around behind our curtains.

Sucking them up with a vacuum cleaner often works best to rid the room but their smell will blow out the back of the appliance.

The article warns against claiming victory, however. “Even if the adults freeze, they may have already laid eggs, which will hatch in warmer weather.”

Stink bugs are an unwelcome import from China, first appearing in the Allentown area in the early 1990s. They likely hitched a ride on cargo containers and escaped from a train passing through.

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