The brown marmorated stink bugs have a shield shape to their bodies. Most are brown and some are bright green. (Provided art / University of Georgia)

Q: My office has stink bugs in it every day. Is there anything I can do to keep them from coming in?

• Bob from Poland

A: Yes!

The brown marmorated stink bug has been around for several years. It is an invasive insect, although we do have native stink bugs in our area. They all have a shield shape to their bodies; most are brown and some are bright green. The brown marmorated stink bug is different and easy to identify by the white stripe on the antenna as well as white and black markings on the abdomen.

This stink bug is well-named for two reasons. When stomped on, it emits a rotten smell, and he’s a real stinker to get rid of — but, NOT impossible.

The good news is that this insect will not harm you — it cannot sting or bite.

This insect can do harm to crops during the summer season, but it is most annoying to the average person when it invades structures in the fall. They are coming inside simply because they seek shelter for the winter months.

They are difficult to keep out because they will enter through any small crack. So, the easiest thing to do now is to get out the caulking gun and get to work. To prevent invasion, start with caulking on the outside of the home.

Seal cracks around windows, door jambs, pipes, chimneys, and any opening into the home that allows entrance. Exterior caulking can be down when the temperatures are above 40 degrees. Be sure to read the label of the product before you purchase it to ensure it works properly this time of year.

Caulking can be used indoors as well. Be sure to seal any indoor openings around windows and doors, baseboards, etc., where these insects can gain access.

Insecticides should not be considered inside the home. Manual vacuuming or sweeping is recommended. Be sure to throw away the bag afterward.

A homemade trap is another option if the insects are numerous. Virginia Tech has videos and factsheets showing their design. They placed an aluminum baking pan of water and dish soap under a light to attract the stink bugs, which fell into the water and were disposed of. They trapped 14 times more stink bugs than other traps.

For more about the brown marmorated stink bug, go to: http://go.osu.edu/stinkbug.

• Barrett is the Ohio State University Extension Educator for Agriculture and Natural Resources in Mahoning County. Call 330-533-5538 to submit questions to the Plant and Pest Clinic. Seasonal clinic hours are 10 a.m. to noon Mondays. More details can be found at go.osu.edu/mahoningclinic.