09.10.2025 17:27
An invasion of brown marmorated stink bugs in the Ferizli district of Sakarya has caused panic. The insects, which have infested homes, gardens, and agricultural areas, are challenging both producers and the public. Farmers say that the smell is so overwhelming that even their grandchildren cannot come to their homes. The neighborhood headman, Ali Rıza Durmuş, described the severity of the situation by stating, "This bug will either disappear or it will destroy us."
The Black Sea region has officially turned into a nightmare. It spread from China in 2017 and reached Sakarya, extending to the Georgian border. The intensity increased even more in 2023 and 2024. The ministry has taken action in 13 provinces.
First seen in Turkey in 2017 in Artvin and Istanbul, the brown marmorated stink bug has now invaded the Bakırlı neighborhood of Ferizli in Sakarya. The bugs, which surround the walls of houses, trees, and gardens, are causing significant damage to agriculture and making life difficult for citizens. Residents say they can’t even visit family due to the intense smell and the invasive bugs.
"WE ARE LONGING FOR OUR GRANDCHILDREN"
Ahmet Gezer, a farmer in Bakırlı neighborhood, stated that the bugs have surrounded their homes and expressed the seriousness of the situation with emotional words: "My grandchildren cannot come to us because of the fear of bugs. We can't open the window or the door. They leave no place in the house untouched. The smell is already noticeable from outside. When my grandchildren want to come, they first ask, 'Are the bugs still there?' They don’t come because they are scared. We are longing for our grandchildren," he said.
"THREATENING ALL OUR PRODUCTS"
Gezer emphasized that the increasing number of bugs each year is causing serious damage to agriculture: "This bug multiplies 500 times every year. One of them lays 400 eggs. When we kill one, we are actually eliminating 400. If everyone treats their homes and roofs, we can collectively get rid of them. They threaten all our products, especially hazelnuts, corn, grapes, and vegetables."
ORIGINATING FROM THE FAR EAST, IMPACTING THE WHOLE WORLD
The brown marmorated stink bug, whose homeland is China, Japan, and Taiwan, began to be seen in Turkey in 2017 after spreading to the Americas and then throughout Europe. These bugs can multiply rapidly by attracting their kind with the scent they emit. These creatures, which damage hundreds of plant species, especially hazelnuts, lead to yield loss and quality decline. Even the samurai wasp, which was introduced as a natural pest control method in agriculture, has proven insufficient to stop this spread.
"THIS BUG WILL EITHER DISAPPEAR OR DESTROY US"
Ali Rıza Durmuş, the head of Bakırlı neighborhood, stated that they have been facing an intense bug invasion in recent weeks: "They have infested all agricultural products like tomatoes, peppers, and corn. We need to eliminate this bug as soon as possible, or it will destroy us. Our government and municipality are providing support in the fight, but new populations keep coming. Our citizens should treat their homes; this can only be prevented through collective action."
Durmuş also stated that he would support citizens who cannot carry out pest control, saying, "I will buy the pesticides myself and distribute them to the neighborhood residents."
THERE ARE SERIOUS LOSSES
The brown marmorated stink bug causes serious damage, especially in hazelnut, corn, grape, vegetable, and fruit orchards. The yield loss in the plants it feeds on varies between 30% and 70%. Experts state that such invasions can only be controlled not just by spraying but through coordinated regional efforts.
CITIZENS ARE CALLED TO JOIN THE FIGHT TOGETHER
After the invasion that started in Ferizli, both farmers and local administrators called on citizens: "Every house, every garden, and every roof needs to be treated. Otherwise, these bugs will not only capture the crops but also take over daily life."