With recent probabl findings of stink bugs in Boyd and Jefferson counties, officials are asking residents to be on alert for stink bug home invaders.BE ON ALERT FOR STINK Please send specimens and specific addresses of findings if you encounter or suspect the brown marmorated stink bug in your area. Winged adults fly to and enter structures as they look for protected sites to spend the winter.

The brown marmorated stink bug is a 5/8 inch long x 3/8 inch wide shield-shaped insect; its upper surface is mottled with brown and gray, the underside is white with gray or black markings. 

Stink bugs are not common fall invaders in Kentucky so please send insects matching the description above to your local Cooperative Extension Service office so that we may identify areas were populations may be becoming established. There is no quarantine program for this insect like ones seen with other exotic species. However, this insect has become a significant pest where it is established.

Additional information is available in an Ohio State University publication that is available at HYPERLINK "http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/pdf/FS_3824_08.pdf" http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/pdf/FS_3824_08.pdf.

Source: Dr Lee Townsend