the bugs are out early according to university of maryland entomologist mike routt. >> when we have veryild winters or above average temperatures, these guys are going to become active much quicker. so what we're expecting and what i'm seeing in my house is the stink bugs are on the move already. >> reporter: this disappointing development after the good news that the bug population appeared to have been badly beaten back or flooded out by the 16 inches of rain brought by hurricane irene and tropical storm lee last september. some scientists speculated that may mean less bugs in 2012 perhaps. others speculating the warm winter is giving them a head start towards an epic comeback. >> if our winter stays warm, i think what we're going to see is stink bugs earlier and perhaps larger numbers than we've seen let's say in 2011. >> reporter: the upshot of all this is nobody really knows what's going to happen with the weather or the bugs. this is all new science and it's unfolding right before our eyes. at university of maryland scott broom, 9 news now. >> there is still hope we will not be sti

: and now the bad news, the bugs are out early according to university of maryland entomologist mike routtn we have very mild winters or above average temperatures, these guys will become active much defector. so what we're expecting and what i'm see -- more quicker. so what we're expecting and what i'm seeing at my house is we'll have many more. >> reporter: the bugs appeared to have been badly beaten out by tropical storm lee last september. some scientists speculated that may mean less bugs in 2012 perhaps. others speculating the warm winter is giving them a head start towards an epic comeback. >> if our winter stays warm, i think what we're going to see is stink bugs earlier and perhaps larger numbers than we've seen let's say in 2011. >> reporter: live now with the bugs mic gave me. he recovered these in the last few -- mike gave me. he recovered these in the last few days. mike is a scientist. he knows the bugs are new to north america, it's an invasive species and that the climate is changing. he knows he can't predict exactly what's going to happen. we're just going to have to wait