Stink Bugs invade 38 states (VIDEO) The United States is under assault by stink bugs looking for a winter home in what scientists are calling an epidemic of the invaders.

Linda Hyatt, a horticulture program assistant for Penn State, says the brown marmorated stink bugs have begun to find their way into homes, reports UPI.

"This is definitely the worst year for them that we've seen," Hyatt said. And, they have invaded 38 states.

They're called stink bugs because they have scent glands on their bodies, and leave an unpleasant odor if crushed, like a fruit or nut gone bad.

On sunny days the insects will gather on the south and west sides of buildings where the sun is warmest, but as colder weather sets in they look for ways to enter homes through any crack or crevice.

The bugs don't do any damage, bite, chew on wood, or reproduce while in people's homes during the winter. However, they can if aggravated stick you with their straw-like appendage meant to pierce the skin of fruits so they can suck out the juices.

Unfortunately, many people leave their air conditioner window units in until the weather fully changes over to cold - some even leave them there all winter - and if they are not fully blocked, the armor-backed bug will find its way in to hang on the walls, curtains, doors and windows of your home. They are attracted to light and warmth; keeping your house dark and cold at night is a good way to keep them outdoors, where the early autumn nights often prove a little warmer.

Many people just vacuum them up, but they will release their stink in the vacuum bag, so have back-ups. They can be chased outside with a broom for the humanely minded among you, or captured in a jar with alcohol soaked cotton balls to kill them as quickly as possible.

Or maybe we should just learn how to like eating them!

Tucked away in the House-passed Farm Bill is $831,000 to fund added research of the bug and what will kill it. "This pest is causing significant damage to agricultural products, particularly the apple crop in mid-Atlantic states," said the report.