Stink bugs, belonging to the family Pentatomidae, are pests (not the predatory stink bug species). They eat your plants, including fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, causing damage to crops and gardens. Some species, like the brown marmorated stink bug, can sneak into your houses during autumn as the weather cools. Once indoors, they gather in big groups, making themselves at home in places like attics and walls.
And that’s not all – they emit a smelly defense odor smelling like a mix of coriander and cilantro that sticks around in the air and on surfaces for hours. Their fluids might cause you irritation.
So, how to get rid of stink bugs? Here are some tips you can follow!
Signs of stink bug infestation
Detecting signs of stink bug infestations, whether they’re inside or outside your home, is crucial for preventing and removing these species. Here are some signs to watch for:
– Indoors:
- Spotting stink bugs: Look out for stink bugs on walls, ceilings, or windowsills, especially in sunny spots. These insects often gather in groups, so check corners and near light sources. You should also inspect entry points like gaps around doors and windows for signs of stink bugs.
- Unusual sightings: If you find stink bugs in unexpected places indoors, like bedrooms or kitchens, it could signal an infestation. They might be hiding behind furniture, in closets, or even in electrical outlets.
- Unpleasant odor: Disturbed or squashed stink bugs emit a strong smell similar to coriander or cilantro.
- Stink bug poops: Stink bugs leave behind dark yellow or brownish liquid trails that can stain surfaces. Check windowsills, baseboards, and other surfaces for these droppings.
- Indoor plant damage: If you have indoor plants, inspect them for signs of stink bug feeding, like holes in leaves or drooping foliage.
- Increased insect activity: If you notice more flies, spiders, or other pests indoors, it could be because they’re attracted to stink bugs. Secondary pest infestations often occur where stink bugs are present.
- Sounds: Sometimes, you might hear buzzing or rustling noises coming from walls or ceilings, especially in warmer months. This could mean stink bugs are seeking shelter indoors.
– Outdoor:
- Seeing stink bugs: Check for small bugs with a shield-shaped body. They come in various colors like black, brown, red, green, or yellow. Look under leaves or stems for clusters of barrel-shaped eggs, which are small and yellowish-white.
- Aggregations: Especially in summer, stink bugs often gather in large groups on the sides of buildings or other structures.
- Plant damage: Stink bugs feed by poking fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants and sucking out their juices. Watch for signs like dimples, discoloration, or distorted surfaces on fruits and leaves. This damage can be serious, causing distortion, wilting, or stunted growth in plants. Check your garden or landscape for signs of stress that might indicate a stink bug problem.
How to prevent stink bugs
- To keep stink bugs away from your houses, try these simple steps:
Seal entry points: Look around your home for any gaps or openings, like cracks near windows, doors, or vents. Stink bugs can get into your house through these ways. Seal them up with caulk, expanding foam, or weather stripping to stop stink bugs from getting in.
Fix screens: Check your window and door screens for any holes or tears. Patch them up to keep bugs out.
Use screens and covers: Put fine mesh screens on windows, doors, and vents to block stink bugs. Cover chimneys and attic vents too.
Seal unused spaces: Close off chimneys and vents you don’t use with screens or covers. Make sure any access points to your attic or crawl space are tightly sealed.
Dim the lights: Stink bugs are attracted to light, especially at night. Try using fewer outdoor lights, or switch to ones that only turn on when they sense movement. Yellow or sodium vapor lights are less appealing to stink bugs. Or you can turn the lights off for sure.
Clear away food sources: Stink bugs like to munch on plants and fruits, so keep your yard and home tidy. Get rid of any fallen leaves or overripe fruit, and trim plants away from the house.
Stay dry: Stink bugs are drawn to moisture, so fix any leaky pipes and keep things dry inside to prevent them from being drawn to your home.
Try natural repellents: Stink bugs hate the smell of some herbs like mint or basil. Plant them around your home’s entry points. You can also use peppermint or garlic oils as natural repellents. Sprinkle garlic cloves on window sills or make homemade stink bug spray with garlic to keep them outside the house.
This spray is made by blending 2 whole heads of garlic, 3 cups of mint leaves, and 2 teaspoons of cayenne pepper. Boil the mixture with 12 cups of water, let it sit overnight, strain, and add biodegradable dish soap.
Regular checks: Keep an eye on your home’s exterior for signs of stink bug activity. Fix any problems you find right away.
- To keep stink bugs away from your garden, you can use natural techniques and set up an environment that makes it hard for them to thrive. Here’s what you can do:
Keep things tidy: Clean up your garden and the area around it. Get rid of weeds, excess plants, and clutter like old boards or logs where stink bugs like to hide. Seal up any openings they might use to get in.
Try homemade stink bug repellent: Spraying your plants with:
- Kaolin clay can stop stink bugs from laying eggs and munching on your plants. It’s safe for plants you eat, and it washes off easily. You need 1 litter of kaolin clay, 7.5 litters of water, and 15 ml of liquid soap.
- Garlic spray: Mixing 2 cups of water with 4 teaspoons of garlic powder.
- Mint oil: Mix mint oil with 2 cups of water.
Attract beneficial insects: Stink bugs have natural enemies like parasitic wasps, spiders, ladybugs, and even predatory stink bugs like the Florida stink bug. Planting flowers like French marigolds, buckwheat, or purple tansy can attract these good bugs and help keep stink bug numbers down.
Plant deterrent plants: Growing garlic, catnip, lavender, thyme, chrysanthemums, and radishes can repel stink bugs.
Catch stink bugs: If you only have a few stink bugs, you can pick them off by hand and drop them into soapy water to get rid of them.
How to get rid of stink bugs naturally
To effectively get rid of stink bugs in your house, you can try these methods:
Vacuuming: This is one of the best ways to get rid of stink bugs. Use your vacuum cleaner to suck up stink bugs without squishing them and causing that foul smell. It’s great for tackling big infestations in houses, but remember to empty your vacuum soon after, as it might stink.
Diatomaceous Earth: This fossilized plankton acts like tiny razors, cutting up the stink bugs’ tough outer shells and making them dry out and die. Sprinkle it in places where stink bugs like to hang out.
Neem Oil can interfere with stink bug reproduction. Mix it with water and spray it in areas where you’ve spotted these pests.
Stink bug indoor trap:
- Sticky traps: Get commercial sticky traps for stink bugs. Just place them where you’ve seen bugs before. The stickiness keeps them trapped until you toss the trap out.
- Pheromone traps will attract stink bugs naturally. Once these bugs get inside these traps, they can’t escape and will eventually die. To use them, simply set up the traps in trees, shrubs, or other sturdy plants close to your home or garden at the beginning of spring.
- DIY soda bottle trap: This DIY stink bug trap uses an empty soda bottle. Cut the top off, flip it upside down, and tape it to the sides. When you find a stink bug, guide it into the bottle to trap it. At night, you can put an LED light inside to attract stink bugs.
- Water trap: Take an aluminum pan or bucket. Fill it partway with water and add a bit of dish soap. Shine a bright light on the water. Stink bugs like the light, land in the water, and drown. This homemade trap catches way more stink bugs than expensive ones from the store.
- Vinegar trap: Put a bowl of apple cider vinegar where you’ve seen stink bugs. They’re drawn to it and fall in, drowning instantly.
Use insect repellents like Raid or stink bug deodorants such as Vanilla Mint Charcoal Deodorant or Tangerine Spice Organic Deodorant. Many customers love these because they work well and smell good.
Get professional help: If you’re still having trouble or heavy invasion, consider calling in pest control experts for advice and treatment options.
Reference: countryliving.com
