- Brown stink bugs are shield-shaped bugs named for their tendency to omit foul-smelling odors when disturbed, according to the Maine state website. While the brown stink bug is more commonly found on fruit, it does affect tomatoes, peppers and corn, according to the University of Maryland.
- Brown stink bugs dine on plants by inserting their mouths into the flesh of fruits and vegetables. These pests then suck out the plant sap, according to the University of Florida website. The plants become more susceptible to fungal and bacterial infections, according to the University of Maryland. Brown stink bugs also contribute to "cloudyspot" damage on peppers and tomatoes, which causes white to black spots to form on the flesh of the vegetables.
- The major problem with brown stink bugs is that they are difficult to control. Insecticides may effectively kill stink bug nymphs but are rarely effective on adults, according to the University of Maryland. If brown stink bugs appear in the garden, remove any mulch and set stink bug traps around the perimeter.
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