Stink bugs are notorious for the foul odor they release when they feel threatened or are stepped on. Unfortunately, many of us have stepped on a stink bug, thinking it would stop the smell, only to find the disgusting odor increases. Stinks bugs are most commonly found in our homes during the late summer and fall when temperatures drop.
So, what can you do to get stink bugs out of your home if you have stink bugs?
Keep reading to learn more about:
- How To Get Rid of and Eliminate Stink Bugs
- How To Keep Stink Bugs Away
- How To Identify Stink Bugs
- Signs & Causes of a Stink Bug Infestation
If trying to exterminate stink bugs on your own becomes too challenging, we recommend Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive. These exterminators have some of the best-trained professionals that can use traps, baits, and other chemically treated solutions that are often more effective than standard DIY methods.
For Terminix quotes, you can reach them at 866-577-5051 or with this form.
For quotes from Orkin, call 866-701-4556, or fill out this form.
For a free quote from Aptive, call 855-521-7075 or visit the company’s website.
Ed has been working in the pest control industry for years helping 1,000's of homeowners navigate the world of insect and rodent management. He manages Pest Strategies now helping homeowners around the world!
Table of Contents
How To Get Rid of and Eliminate Stink Bugs
You’ve had the unfortunate luck of finding stink bugs in your home. We know that crushing stink bugs is not a good idea because of the disgusting odor they produce.
So, what can you do to get rid of stink bugs quickly?
- Use your vacuum. Vacuum cleaners are highly effective at eliminating stink bugs quickly. If you have a hose attachment, use it to suck the stink bugs up quickly. Once you’re done vacuuming, freeze the vacuum dust container before emptying it to avoid crushing the bugs and releasing the odor. Make sure you thoroughly clean the vacuum collection container before using it again.
- Make a DIY stink bug trap. First, gather your ingredients: a foil pan, water, and dish soap. Then fill the pan with water and splash it with dish soap so that you have a frothy layer of bubbles in the pan. Then place it near a table lamp and switch the light on, leaving the light on overnight. The light will attract the stink bugs and entice them to jump into the foil pan filled with soapy water, causing them to drown.
- Use your broom. Stink bugs are typically found in higher points of a structure, such as on the ceiling, eaves, awnings, attics, or top of tall shelving. If you notice stink bugs in high hiding places, make a DIY soapy water trap and use the broom to knock stink bugs into the water.
- Purchase a commercial pesticide to treat for stink bugs. Look for a stink bug specific insecticide to treat for your stink bug infestation. Make sure you carefully follow all instructions on the product, carefully noting any safety instructions about if the product is safe to use around kids or pets.
- Keep up with your landscaping. Move firewood at least 20 feet away from the exterior of your home and at least five inches off the ground to prevent stink bugs from using the firewood to enter your home. Trim your branches and shrubs regularly to prevent pest-friendly areas from forming.
- Secure crawl space entries. Stink bugs frequently use crawl spaces to enter our home, so double-check that this is not possible with your home.
- Contact a pest control professional. A pest control professional can treat vegetation around your home’s foundation and kill stink bugs that have entered your home. Professional stink bug control can do wonders in preventing and quickly dealing with the stink bugs that have entered your home.
- Capture and release the stink bugs. Use light to attract the stink bugs, then place them into a jar. Once inside the jar, you can move the stink bug outside and away from your home.
- Use essential oils. Mint essential oil is an effective way to repel stink bugs from your home. It can also help counteract the nasty smell of stink bugs that your home may suffer from during an infestation.
- Make a DIY stink bug repellent. Mix hot water, white vinegar, and dish soap in a spray bottle. Then spray this around high areas of your home to repel stink bugs.
How to Keep Stink Bugs Away
Nobody wants to deal with the smell of a stink bug, so the best-case scenario is keeping them away from your home in the first place.
Here are some of our top tips for homeowners for preventing stink bugs from entering your property:
- Seal off all entry points. Inspect your home and check for any cracks, crevices, and gaps in your home’s exterior. Once you’ve identified these weaknesses, caulk them with a sealing agent to prevent pests from entering your home.
- Repair and replace screens. Examine door and window screens for small openings. Even the tiniest opening will allow a stink bug to enter your home. Go through and repair or replace any window or door screens that are damaged.
- Install door sweeps to prevent stink bugs from entering. Door sweeps can be incredibly effective at preventing many pests, including stink bugs, from breaching your home.
- Turn your lights off. Don’t leave outdoor lighting on. Before you go to bed, turn off porch lights and close window blinds to prevent light from going outside. Stink bugs, along with many other pests, are attracted to lights, so keeping your lights off as much as possible can help to prevent them from coming to your home.
- Reduce excess moisture. Regularly check for clogged drains and leaking pipes to prevent moisture buildup.
- Eliminate easy food sources. Stink bugs love fruits and vegetables but will eat other foods too. Make sure you store all food in airtight containers and get rid of your trash regularly.
- Clean your home frequently. Wipe down your counters and sweep your floors to pick up any crumbs. Mop your floors to clean up residue from spills.
Are stink bugs harmful?
They are not known to be harmful to humans or our pets, even though their smell and secretion may inspire fear due to their awful odor.
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How To Identify Stink Bugs
Stink bugs, otherwise known as brown marmorated stink bugs or the East Asian stink bug, are invasive bugs that originated from Eastern Asia. They’re most commonly found on the East Coast and in the Atlanta region, but they can be found throughout most of the United States now.
In terms of identification, the foul odor a stink bug produces is the easiest way to identify a stink bug. Many describe the smell as cilantro, burnt tires, or a nasty woody smell. Other identifying features include their ability to fly, brown color, and antennae set.
Stink bugs are not known to be harmful to humans or our pets, even though their smell and secretion may inspire fear due to their awful odor. The smell could make your stomach turn, but it’s unlikely that you or your pets would suffer from an illness or actual harm from the stink bug.
Signs & Causes of a Stink Bug Infestation
So, you’ve spotted a stink bug in your home? Should you be worried about a stink bug infestation, or is it just a single stink bug that found an entry point to your home and took advantage of it to enter your home? Keep reading to learn about the signs and causes of a stink bug infestation.
Common causes of a stink bug infestation:
- Easy access to fruits and vegetables
- Dropping temperatures outdoors (they’re known for overwintering in our homes)
- Outdoor lighting
Signs that you have a stink bug infestation:
- A foul odor (some describe the odor as the smell of cilantro, a woody smell, or the smell of burnt tires)
- Damaged vegetables and fruits (look for “scars” on your fruit from stink bugs feeding on your crops)
- Plants that are suddenly growing poorly
- Groups of stink bugs (they often gather together to stay warm)
- Dirty yellow stains from the stinky odor
Final Thoughts on How To Get Rid of Stink Bugs
Having a stink bug problem is never fun. Between the nasty smell, the destroyed vegetables and fruits, and the dirty yellow stains, stink bugs are a pain.
If you notice large numbers of stink bugs gathering in your home, take some steps to assess any possible points of entry, such as your window sills, crawl spaces, or torn window screens. If your DIY solutions don’t work, then don’t hesitate to reach out to your local pest control professional, who can quickly work to kill the stink bugs that have infiltrated your home.
