Kudzu bugs, Megacopta cribraria (Fabricius), often pop up around homes and office buildings in late summer and may be present until cooler weather comes along. Homes and buildings close to kudzu or soybean fields may have more of these insects around since they love to feed on those plants.

These cute little stinkers are harmless to people, but they may be a nuisance if they start to congregate in large numbers on the sides of homes, looking for a nice place to spend the winter. If startled, these insects will emit a pungent odor that is similar to other stink bugs, such as the brown marmorated or green stink bug. Despite their small stature, these insects are strong fliers. If disturbed, they should fly away to another location. For that reason, spraying the exterior of homes isn’t necessary to control them. Shooing them on their way with a broom will likely discourage them from staying. Additionally, when sprays kill the bugs, you are then stuck sweeping them off your porch instead of them flying away.