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Midtown Sacramento Stinkbug Invasion Turning Heads, Noses

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — A bug invasion is raising a stink in Sacramento, where residents are worried about more than just the smell.

"I saw some earlier, there are quite a few," said Chuck Ingels, with the Sacramento Cooperative Extension.

Ingels is on a search to show off one of Midtown's newest residents. They're hard to spot, but they're here. It's the brown marmorated stink bug.

After smacking a few trees, we found some.

According to Ingels, these brown critters have now infested Midtown.

"It's the first time it's  been in Sacramento County," he said.

And they're not welcome.

These particular stink bugs have only been seen in California near Los Angeles. They're aggressive pests that don't like to bite humans much—just eat fruits and vegetables. Instead of biting people, they're likely hitching a ride on someone's vehicle.

Experts aren't sure just how many of the stink bugs are in Sacramento.

""It might take a few years before it even starts reaching the farms," said Ingels.

Which eventually will likely mean a new pest for growers to deal with on top of the other pests after their crops. In the meantime, it's homeowners who will feel the stink of the brown marmorated stink bug.

Where these bugs will move and just what kind of stink they'll make is up in the air.

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