Stink Bugs & Corn Flies

These two creatures left a bad mark on my favorite season, autumn. One left a bad smell everywhere, including my vacuum cleaner. 

The stink bug…ahhhh, what a delight…said no one ever. These armored beasts encase the most disgusting of innards. I should know. Out of frustration, I hit one with a hammer and its stinky awfulness covered the right side of my shirt. Yes, I did that. I had had my limit of stink bugs that day. They hid behind everything on the walls in my cabin, my calendar, pictures, clocks. On cool nights they would hunker down in groups in the crevices of the unfinished logs. They would land on my skin and clothing and hang tight by the spurs on their legs. And boy, if you upset one, they would secrete the most awful smell. Capture one in your hand and it’s pure nastiness. Suck them up in the vacuum and the whole unit smells every.single.time. you.turn.it.on. 

Their armor makes them more difficult to kill, although my battery operated swatter works pretty well at frying them when they fly around my space. It creates quite an odor though. Ahhhh, but what a great smell knowing there is one less stink bug in the world. A hammer works really well too but I suggest wearing protective clothing. Maybe even goggles. 

The corn fly, or hover fly, is rather annoying. This past year was the worst ever. Multiple flies would land on you at once. Just ask my sister-in-law, Rita. They loved her. Corn flies do not bite or sting but they land on you like they own the place. And if you have an outdoor meal, check your fork twice before putting it in your mouth. Just so annoying. I’m glad soy beans will be planted this next season around our property. Maybe corn flies won’t be as bad next fall.

Another annoying insect is the Asian lady beetle. They try to mislead you by disguising themselves as the lovely lady bug. But, no. They are an invasive species and infiltrate your home in the fall. And they also stink horribly when crushed. I remember preparing a room to paint and I removed an outlet cover and inside the wall was thick mat of dead Asian lady beetles. Disgusting. These bugs were outdone by the stink bug and corn fly this past fall. But I’m still not a fan. 

I will make mention that I did not see a single mosquito or biting midge on our property for all of 2025. Not sure how or why that happened but, with that, I rejoice. 

So what brought this topic up today, in the middle of winter? Well, yesterday I went into the guest room and what did I find? A blessed stink bug on the blind.

I hate these pests. And they truly are every bit of the word. 

We have had the longest stretch of below freezing temps that I can recall in all of my 64 years. I do not remember it being this cold, and with continuous windchill temps in the negative digits, without a single break. And it’s still not over. 

I am willing to not complain anymore about being cold if the extreme frigidness we are now experiencing “decreases the surplus population” (just call me Scrooge) of these most annoying creatures. I am hoping it works in our favor. This cold will then be so worth it. 

Well, I got this off my chest. Now off to more beautiful things. Like my grandbabies.

What bugs you where you live? 

♥️

Andi