Michigan’s ‘False Spring’ Causes Early Return For Stinkbugs

February is the midway of winter when things start to heat up, but it isn't quite spring yet. Each year, we get what many locals call "False Spring," when things heat up, the snow starts to melt, birds are singing, and you're happy to walk outside without a jacket (gasp).

Get our free mobile app

But deep down, we all know it won't last. Temps will plummet, and snow will fall once more. But this year's "false spring" was interesting because temperatures stayed in the upper-50s for so long that things began to emerge from hibernation.

How do I know? Because I was using my computer the other night and felt something on my hand. I turned on my light, saw a stink bug walking up my arm, and screamed.

Stink Bug Winter & Mating Seasons

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) usually begins waking up in April or May, with most mating occurring during the summer months. But it isn't uncommon for the bug to wake up during warm temperatures, tricked into thinking summer is here.

Thankfully, they won't cause issues or reproduce indoors and will likely return to a dormant state as temperatures return to seasonal norms.

We see them most often in the fall, when these bugs find places to live over the winter. That place is likely your home, so if you want to keep stink bugs OUT, home prep should begin in spring. Try some of the tips below: