The arrival of stink bugs usually means that the summer is over and cooler months are upon as these stinky insects are looking for warm places to spend their winter. While they’re not harmful for your health, they are still an unpleasant (and smelly!) pest you don’t want to keep in your home, so here’s what you need to do to get rid of stink bugs.
In This Article
1. Inspect and Seal Potential Entry Points
The best and most efficient way to get rid of stink bugs is to prevent them from entering your home in the first place. Take a look outside your house and inspect for any cracks, holes, areas around your windows, doors, utility pipes, chimney, or other elements. They can come through the smallest of openings, so make sure to really do a thorough examination, and then use a high-quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk to seal it all up and close off their entry points, making your home a no-stink bug zone.
2. Minimize Outside Light
If you own a light on your balcony, patio, or backyard, try turning it off as much as you can as stink bugs are known to be attracted to it. As a matter of fact, purposely using a light lamp to “lure” them out is a tactic you can use to get rid of them once they’ve infested your home.
3. Minimize Water Leaks
Same as with light, moisture attracts all sorts of pests and bugs, so making sure you eliminate all sources will help out immensely in your battle with the dreaded stink bugs. Examine your pipes and check for any leakage or clogged drains which might be causing moisture build-up. If you live near a water source, make sure to install blocks and other protective objects to minimize it from wetting your patio, staircase, or any other point of entrance.
4. Protect Your Food
Make sure you properly seal and store your food in air-tight containers, as well as check for any garbage spillage or leftover crumbs, as stink bugs can feed on whatever they can find. After every meal, wipe down your table and kitchen surface, and abstain from eating on your sofa or in your bed. You don’t want them snooping around those areas.
5. Vacuum Them Up
Once you’ve discovered that even with all of your efforts, they’ve still managed to find their way into your home, it’s time to act fast. Using a vacuum is always recommended with these type of pests (as well as ants), but make sure you’re using a bag and that you immediately throw it out once you’re done. Over time, your vacuum can start to have an unpleasant smell, so be prepared to sanitize it.
6. Make Them A Soap Bath
Drowning them in a homemade soap solution is one of the most effective ways to get rid of them, although it’s not the prettiest sight. Combine water and regular dish detergent in a 1:1 ratio and pour it into a bucket to “collect them” as you go, or put it in a spray bottle and use it directly on the bugs. Just spraying the area around them won’t work, so you really need to get nice and comfortable with them.
7. To Squish or Not To Squish
Some say squish them, but most would advise against it. First of all, their unpleasant smell gets released when they’re crushed. Second, you actually have to perform the action, and if you have even the slightest hint of bug phobia – you probably won’t find this method likable. If the spraying, vacuuming, or soap drowning isn’t possible, invest in a good stink bug formula and keep a few bottles around your house.
8. Pest Control
If things are really getting out of hand, consider calling pest control in your area and let them help you out. Pest invasions are a nuisance and a serious problem that won’t get solved unless proper actions are taken. Browse and contact a licensed pest professional to analyze and assess the severity of your problem. They will be able to evaluate the best course of action for stink bug management before it goes out of control.
Stink bugs invade in large colonies, so once you find one, you can very well assume there are plenty more where it came from. Invest in preventative spraying and proofing your home before autumn comes, and educate yourself on all the ways you can prevent them from causing you headaches.
