How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

Stink bugs got their name because, well, because they stink. With fall here and winter on the way, this is prime season for stink bugs as they make their way back into your homes and businesses. You may start seeing them by the dozens – even though it starts out with one or two. Letting the problem go will only make it worse. And as the end of October nears, that’s when the infestation will hit its peak. Now is the time to act.

Because they expel pungent fumes whenever anyone steps on one or tries to kill one, they are a feared pest in homes all over the country. Stink bugs are native to Asia, arriving in this country only in the middle of the 1990s. So, they are relatively new to the United States, appearing in 44 out of 50 states.

If you can’t squish them because you’re afraid of the nasty smell, how can you get rid of them? First off, you should always call a professional exterminator, but here are a couple of DIY tips you can try if you see one here or there.

• Prevention: Block their entry into your home to prevent invasion in the first place. Check all doors, windows, attics and crawlspaces for cracks, torn screens, holes and other access points. Fill in gaps with caulk, use weather stripping or place screens over vents.
• Rub down screens with fragrant dryer sheets: Rubbing a dryer sheet over your screens can reduce chances of invasion – by as much as 80 percent according to some statistics.
• Use a dustpan: If the bugs are already in your house, use a dustpan to gently sweep them up and into the toilet. Or, drowning via soapy water could also work. Just don’t pick them up by tissues or you will risk crushing one and releasing the odor.

About Stink Bugs

Stink bugs aren’t dangerous per se -- they don’t bite, they don’t sting and they don’t carry diseases. However, their smelly self-defense habit makes getting rid of them a nearly impossible task. Even if you vacuum them up, the vacuum will stink. Although, you could dispose of the bag immediately if you try this option.

You may start seeing them soon. The fall is when stink bugs begin their yearly migration into homes in search of warmth and shelter. However, never before have they moved in larger droves. That’s because they’re ending their feeding frenzy in preparation of the cold weather and now they want to hibernate. The next six weeks in particular will be challenging.

They crave warm weather and are usually outside. They love to eat farmers’ crops and can become a real nuisance. But when the temperature begins to drop, these pests head indoors and hide out till they can go outside once again in spring.

Contact Cavanaugh Professional Termite and Pest Services

If your home is being invaded by stink bugs, contact us immediately so we can get the problem under control quickly.