Ken Muñoz
staff writer
Late September is often a time for the onset of autumn. Falling leaves, productive students, and sweater weather are all usual characteristics of the season.
Here at Dominican however, we have stinkbugs.
Formally known as the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, these creatures have been known to find their ways into indoor residencies through cracks and crevices when the weather gets hot. Pair this with the proximity of Dominican University to Thatcher Woods, our quaint campus becomes a hotbed for stink bug activity
However, stink bugs do not pose a direct threat to us. They lack the ability to bite humans and crave a piece of tree bark over our skin. That is not to say that they are not a nuisance, squashing them releases an odor that has been described as similar to the smell of dirty socks, coriander, and even skunks.
Coughlin residents Jasmine Ramirez and Aylin Barragan both report having spotted at least ten to fifteen stink bugs within the halls. They recalled one of these occurrences happening in their own room, “We thought there was a stink bug on our window, it was crawling upward,” Barragan said. “We suggested to get the broom to kill it before we knew we weren’t supposed to.”
Though a broom may seem like a suitable spur-of-the-moment resolution, it is not the recommended method of exterminating these bugs. Vice President for Technology and Operations Jill Albin-Hill forwarded an article written by Sarah Taddeo of Democratandchronicle.com to all resident students regarding methods to get rid of these nuisances.
“Stink bugs like light and they can’t swim, so a desk lamp with a tub of soapy water underneath works as an impromptu stink bug trap. You can also buy lighted stink bug traps at local hardware stores,” writes Taddeo.
For the residents that are not as inclined to set up traps around their rooms, Albin-Hill advises to report any missing screens and/or cracks in windows to the support center. Glue traps are also being offered for severe cases.
Undergraduate student Isabel Peña disclosed her living situation with these bugs. “I find them in my room every day. I had to get over my fear of touching bugs or else I would not have been able to help my situation. I grab a napkin, scoop them up, and then set them by my window until they crawl out” said Peña.
With the weather cooling down, the stink bug situation is expected to solve itself. In the meantime, Residence Life has posted signs advising students to keep a look out and to avoid killing them because to do so would result in horrid smells invading student living quarters.
kmunoz@my.dom.edu