How Do I Get Rid of Stink Bugs in My Home?
We have a stink bug problem in our house, and they are EVERYWHERE. It started with just a few but they've multiplied and I'm now killing upwards of 10 a day. It's ridiculous. So, what tips and tricks do you have to get rid of stink bugs and prevent more from coming in? I'm so frustrated!
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Stink bugs are a pain. So, you can have different kinds of stink bugs. The one that comes up a lot, depending on your area, is the brown marmorated stink bug, which is an invasive species—you want that one gone. But this applies to all stink bugs: they overwinter in your home before winter, so preventing that is key.
Here are some tips for both treatment and prevention:
–Exclusion helps—sealing up any open areas in your attic, for example. You also want to time any pesticide applications to when they’re about to enter and when they start coming out. If you’ve lived in your home long enough, you probably know when they show up every year. Treating the exterior of your home before they enter is key—especially around rooflines or anywhere they can crawl inside.
–For DIY treatment, there are always options for homeowners. You can use borate-based insulation in your attic—it helps deter them when they crawl in. A homeowner can use over-the-counter products as long as they are properly labeled. For example, Ortho Home Defense Max is an indoor barrier treatment. Seven and other over-the-counter insecticides are also options. The key is to apply treatments in the right areas—around windows, under eaves, and near loose siding where stink bugs tend to enter. The other key is to check the label before buying an at-home treatment. Both homeowners and professional operators are legally required to follow the product label instructions. Labels change periodically due to EPA regulations, so it’s essential to stay updated. Some pesticides are also restricted in certain states, so it’s important to check that the product is allowed where you live.
–Hire a professional. You can buy over-the-counter products, but efficacy depends on your knowledge, application timing, and location. It’s like plumbing—you can watch a YouTube video and attempt it yourself, but it’s usually cheaper in the long run to hire a professional. You’re not just paying for the chemical, you’re paying for expertise.
–Prevention: as far as preventing more from coming in, you need to pay attention to the behavior of the insects so you know their timing for the future and can time treament correctly. For example, if you know you start seeing stink bugs every October or November, you should treat beforehand. Either call a pest control company or apply the treatment yourself before they start moving in. Overall, exclusion, proper insulation, and well-timed treatments all play a role in reducing their numbers.
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Here are some tips for both treatment and prevention:
–Exclusion helps—sealing up any open areas in your attic, for example. You also want to time any pesticide applications to when they’re about to enter and when they start coming out. If you’ve lived in your home long enough, you probably know when they show up every year. Treating the exterior of your home before they enter is key—especially around rooflines or anywhere they can crawl inside.
–For DIY treatment, there are always options for homeowners. You can use borate-based insulation in your attic—it helps deter them when they crawl in. A homeowner can use over-the-counter products as long as they are properly labeled. For example, Ortho Home Defense Max is an indoor barrier treatment. Seven and other over-the-counter insecticides are also options. The key is to apply treatments in the right areas—around windows, under eaves, and near loose siding where stink bugs tend to enter. The other key is to check the label before buying an at-home treatment. Both homeowners and professional operators are legally required to follow the product label instructions. Labels change periodically due to EPA regulations, so it’s essential to stay updated. Some pesticides are also restricted in certain states, so it’s important to check that the product is allowed where you live.
–Hire a professional. You can buy over-the-counter products, but efficacy depends on your knowledge, application timing, and location. It’s like plumbing—you can watch a YouTube video and attempt it yourself, but it’s usually cheaper in the long run to hire a professional. You’re not just paying for the chemical, you’re paying for expertise.
–Prevention: as far as preventing more from coming in, you need to pay attention to the behavior of the insects so you know their timing for the future and can time treament correctly. For example, if you know you start seeing stink bugs every October or November, you should treat beforehand. Either call a pest control company or apply the treatment yourself before they start moving in. Overall, exclusion, proper insulation, and well-timed treatments all play a role in reducing their numbers.
I’d start by checking the area where you keep finding the bugs for gaps to the outside. Fill them in with silicone, grout, or whatever material is most appropriate. Then, what you want to try to do is use an insecticide that has a repellent effect to create a barrier outside of your home. Follow the instructions and apply it as needed until the stinkbugs stop showing up. I know it can be irritating, but you have to be persistent to keep bugs out of your home.
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I don’t necessarily have any good tips on getting rid of them, but you may notice an uptick in stink bugs whenever the weather changes. Stink bugs generally prefer to stay outside, but they scurry for shelter whenever the days get short or the weather turns to get colder. If you’re seeing the bugs out of nowhere and it’s the turn of a season, at least take solace in the fact that the bugs will probably voluntarily leave you alone once the weather gets warmer.
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If the stink bugs are attracted to houseplants, try spraying them with neem oil. Neem oil is an organic and natural oil that protects plants from pests—including stink bugs. Mix a few spoonfuls of neem oil into a spray bottle full of water and just mist your plants periodically. The stink bugs will leave your plants alone (or die trying to climb on them).
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The poster who was talking about humidity is so right. For me, it turned out the stink bugs were attracted to my garbage disposal. There were food scraps in there and that combined with the moisture from the sink was just apparently a huge draw for the stinkbugs. I guess what I’m saying is that if the moisture thing doesn’t apply, they may be attracted to the crumbs or scraps in your kitchen. Try cleaning up after you seal your home and see if that helps. I hope it works out, I know first-hand that stink bugs can be super annoying.
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I had this problem years ago. It turned out my humidifier was to blame. I live in a really dry area and ran a humidifier all day. Well, it turns out stink bugs really love humidity. They were coming indoors trying to stay comfortable. I just ended up turning the humidifier off for a week or so and the stink bugs disappeared. I don’t know if this applies to your situation, but it could be a potential reason you keep seeing new stinkbugs every day.
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In my experience, diatomaceous earth is the best option. It’s this eco-friendly granular stuff that you can sprinkle on the ground and the stink bugs can’t get past it without cutting themselves up and dying. It sounds intense but is actually organic and safe. If I were you, I’d sprinkle plenty of that stuff around the rim of the door or window where the bugs are coming in. Just keep it up and eventually the bugs should stop trying to get in.
You can also use peppermint oil, if you don't have pets (because it can be toxic to cats and dogs). Just combine a squirt of dish soap, some peppermint oil, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas where you see the bugs to repel them or even spray them directly and it will kill them.
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You can also use peppermint oil, if you don't have pets (because it can be toxic to cats and dogs). Just combine a squirt of dish soap, some peppermint oil, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas where you see the bugs to repel them or even spray them directly and it will kill them.
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Reader Tips from How to Kill a Stink Bug
The bugs are attracted to light. I have had a ton of success setting a light out over a bowl of soapy water. Overnight, I'll just leave the light one and in the morning the bowl is filled with the bugs.
I suspect that white vinegar only works on certain species of stink bug. Only about half of the stink bugs I catch die in vinegar. The other half seem like they're able to swim around just fine.
Nail polish remover also works! Put a little bit of the remover in a spray bottle and spritz the bugs. It'll knock them out right away.
Reader Tips from How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs Naturally
I like vacuuming the bugs whenever I see them. If you're going to vacuum the stink bugs though, empty the bag outdoors immediately. Believe me, I've made the mistake of just leaving the vacuum inside and boy does it end up smelling terrible after a while.
Stink bugs get into my house fairly often. I just keep a spray bottle filled with soapy water at my sink. Whenever I spot a stink bug, I just spritz it with the water and the stink bugs die without releasing their nasty fumes.
Reader Tips from How to Get Rid of All Insects in Your Yard
If you have any ladybugs or spiders that like to hang out near your home, I'd recommend leaving them alone. I get a lot of stink bugs where I live and the ladybugs and spiders prey on them. Better to keep the bug violence outside of the home than to let the stinky critters indoors.
I saw another poster mentioned stink bugs. I've had a lot of success just leaving lavender plants on my windowsill. Apparently, they deter stink bugs from trying to get into your home. I don't know how true that is, but I used to get them all the time and now I don't!
