Until three years ago, I had never even noticed a stink bug (Pentatomidae), also known as a shield bug. In Bratislava, Slovakia, my garden thrived with vibrant tomatoes and corn, and each autumn, our house was beautifully adorned with ladybirds. But then, everything changed. My once-picturesque world became a battleground as stink bugs invaded, covering the house where ladybirds once perched. No matter where I looked, there they were—under pillows and, once, even in my high heels when I forgot to check them. I crushed one as I slipped it on, and the smell clung to my socks for hours, following me to an important meeting. Somehow, they even enjoyed a spin in the dryer, hitching a ride with our wet clothes and leaving their stench on every piece of laundry. I had to wash everything all over again. The worst part? They hitchhiked in our luggage all the way to Maasai Mara. Despite my dislike of playing the role of murderer, we tried to kill everyone we found—but who knows how many escaped into the wild? Yet, despite all the frustration, stink bugs are more than just pests. I want to understand them better, and if you share the same curiosity, follow along with my nested questions and the answers I found through academic research. In this Q&A, we’ll explore the fascinating characteristics of stink bugs—their smell, their sturdiness, what makes them such persistent survivors, and how we can finally get rid of them. And as we delve into these questions, I’ll provide scientific references at the end for those who want to explore the details even further.