Do Stink Bugs Smell Worse Than Skunks? And Is Their Odor Harmful to People? Here’s the Surprising Truth.

 

Originally Published September 26, 2024 | Updated September 24, 2026

 

Plenty of pests are unpleasant to find around your home, but few announce themselves quite like a stink bug. Brown marmorated stink bugs are notorious for the strong odor they release when disturbed or crushed, and people have compared that stench to everything from cilantro to burnt tires or a skunk.  

They’re also an invasive insect species from Asia. In other words, stink bugs are not native to Alabama, and they disrupt the natural order of the food chain. 

So, disliking stink bugs is entirely valid. However, you’re here because you want to know the answer to the questions in this article’s title: Do stink bugs smell worse than skunks? And is that odor from stink bugs harmful to humans? Keep reading and join our pest experts as we take a closer look.

Do Stink Bugs Smell Worse Than Skunks? 

Obviously, stink bugs can certainly produce a powerful odor, but there isn’t a universally agreed-upon description of what they smell like. It’s worth mentioning, however, that a stink bug’s odor and a skunk’s spray aren’t chemically the same. 

Researchers posit that the chemicals in stink bugs’ stinky abdominal excretions consist of aldehydes and esters, while skunk spray consists mostly of sulfurous compounds. So technically, skunks and stink bugs create two different kinds of stink—whether they smell similar mostly comes down to how your nose perceives them. 

Are Stink Bugs Harmful to Humans?

If you want to know whether stink bugs are harmful to humans, it depends: do you consider their awful stench to be “harmful”?

In all seriousness, the answer is no. Stink bugs are not poisonous and don’t have a painful bite, sting, or anything like that. They’re just severely annoying.

Can Stink Bugs Hurt Pets?

Fortunately for your precious feline and canine companions, stink bugs can’t hurt them either. 

Can Stink Bugs Destroy My Stuff?

Despite stink bugs not being very threatening to human or animal health, the answer to this question about material items can be yes. 

Stink bugs aren’t going to leave holes in your clothes like moth and butterfly larvae, and they won’t destroy all the wood in your home like a termite. 

However, stink bugs are easily scared; when they are afraid, they excrete a stinky liquid from an abdominal gland. This gross-smelling essence can stain porous materials, so if it gets on fabric, it can leave a stain.

What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Stink Bugs?

• Fill cracks in baseboards, windows, and elsewhere with caulk, grout, or foam insulation. 
• Vacuum them up: Stink bugs can fly to evade your vacuum, but they are relatively large, so it is not as difficult to trap, smack, or vacuum them as it is with flies.
• Don’t let them inside: Watch for stink bugs entering doorways from outside; they’ll try to hitch a ride on your clothes or stuff. But you can brush them off with a twig, and they’ll fearfully fly away. 
• Turn off the lights: Light leads stink bugs to their next destination, like moths and flies. Avoid leaving the porch lights on for long periods. 
• Call Our Experts: Household insects are no match for the Vulcan Termite team—stink bugs are no exception.

For 40+ years, our team of integrative pest solutions professionals at Vulcan Termite & Pest Control has proudly helped hundreds of families in Birmingham and nearby communities by eradicating invasive pests on their properties.

Call us today at 205-663-4200 or contact us online to request our services. We’ll gladly perform a FREE evaluation and create and implement an effective strategy using our tried-and-true methods, so you and your family can return to your daily activities safely and comfortably in a pest-free home.

Thanks for reading this edition of our weekly pest blogs! Are you curious to keep learning about common critters found in Alabama or how to safely and humanely deal with them when they show up on your property uninvited? Check out more of our blogs for helpful tips, tricks, and educational content!