How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs?

Do stink bugs really stink? If they do is the odor enough to cause us to take steps to get rid of them? For most people the answers to these questions are: yes and yes. This bug is a nuisance that most people would just rather not have around. So, we need to take a few steps to get rid of them and a couple of other steps to prevent them from coming back.

Bugs That Stand Out
Stink bugs use this annoying odor as a means of self-defense, much in the way a skunk does. They are small and rather defenseless so they could be eaten by birds if they didn’t emit this odor. Other animals have defense mechanisms too. For example, the porcupine has a lot of sharp quills that prevent other animals from attacking them.

Open fields, lawns and gardens are the usual homes for stick bugs. They also prefer to gather in shrubbery around our property. In warm months they may not present much of a problem because they can survive quite well outside. When temperatures fall as winter approaches, stink bugs will seek warmer spots. If they can’t find a suitable location under the loose bark of a tree or on the south side of a building, they may invade your home.

Stop Them at the Door
The best way to get rid of stink bugs is to prevent them from getting into your home in the first place. Keep doors and windows closed when possible. If you open windows to allow fresh air in make sure that screens are secure and gaps around windows and doors are well sealed. Make sure gaps and cracks in chimneys are sealed and attic vents are covered with screen material. Don’t neglect the basement and crawl space under the home when looking for places stink bugs might get in.

Eliminate Them
Look for the eggs of stink bugs and take steps to get rid of the eggs before they hatch. These eggs are usually in large clumps and may be yellow, white or even a pale green. The underside of leaves on fruit plants is prime reproduction territory for the stink bug. Garden plants such as melons, beans and cabbage are also attractive places for stink bugs to deposit their eggs. Simply scrape them or scoop them into a container that can be closed with a lid.

You can also deter stink bugs by eliminating outdoor lighting. These bugs are attracted to light. They will even be drawn to light coming from windows. Do what you can to avoid attracting stink bugs with artificial lighting.

Finally, you may be able to get rid of stink bugs by spraying pesticides directly on the bugs and on the places where they might place their eggs. But be sure to wash your garden produce and your hands carefully after this treatment. Insecticide fog treatments will also help you reduce stink bug numbers. However, some people find this less than satisfactory. If you must handle the bugs or try to vacuum them up, be very careful. Squashed bugs emit that terrible odor. Even if they aren’t smashed they might emit the odor because they feel threatened.

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