Residents in several areas of Bhubaneswar, India, have fled after hundreds of thousands of stink bugs invaded their homes.

“The astoundingly large population of stink bugs is due to the flowering of thorny bamboo trees inside the forest reserve, which occurs every 35 years, making it one of the worst outbreaks in the state,” NDTV reported.

The bugs, which feed on plants, are harmless but emit a foul odor when squished.

Thousands of families, especially those living in the slums adjacent to the Chandaka forest area, are among the worst affected.

“We tried to fight the bugs with detergent water, phenyl and insecticides, but nothing is working against them,” said local resident Manoj Mahapatra.

Experts warn that it could get worse.

“The stink bugs are now in crawling stage but will soon start flying and may become more difficult to control,” said Professor Nirakar Bhol of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology.

Subhendu Mallik, honorary wildlife warden of Khordha, said people should use bleaching powder and not insecticide to kill the bugs as they may kill the birds that feed on dead insects.

Residents of several areas in Bhubaneswar, India, have fled after hundreds of thousands of stink bugs have begun to crawl into their homes.

The bugs, which feed on plants, are harmless but emit a foul odour when squished.

Thousands of families especially those living in the slums adjacent to the Chandaka forest area are among the worst affected.

“We tried to fight the bugs with detergent water, phenyl and insecticides, but nothing is working against them,” said a local resident Manoj Mahapatra, who has gone to back to his village with his family. “We will return after the bugs go away,” he said.

Experts have traced the outbreak of the bug, Udonga Montana, to the mass flowering of ferny bamboos, which occur once in 35 to 40 years.

“The bugs, which feeds on bamboo flowers, usually die within a couple of days. But this year unseasonal rain and moisture created a favourable condition for them to multiply,” said Professor Nirakar Bhol of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology.

The outbreak of the bug has been periodically reported from different parts of India. But it is the first time they have invaded a city in large number thanks to the reckless encroachment of forest areas.

Experts warn that it could get worse.

Bhol said, “The stink bugs are now in crawling stage but will soon start flying and may become more difficult to control.”

Subhendu Mallik, honorary wildlife warden of Khordha, said people should use bleaching powder and not insecticide to kill the bugs as they may kill the birds that feed on dead insects.