What’s that smell? Known for their unsavory stench, you can quickly recognize when there are stink bugs in your home. These pests will come indoors during the winter to escape the elements. As the weather heats up, you may find stink bugs exiting your home and trying to head outdoors.
Unfortunately, this means you’ll find more of these pests lingering inside. So, how do you combat stink bugs?
If you’re struggling with an influx of these insects, we have a solution for you! Check out this article for three of the best stink bug trap solutions to eliminate them quickly.
Despite being synonymous with an undesirable aroma, there isn't a uniform consensus on how these bugs smell. Some people may catch a whiff of cilantro, while others argue that the stink bug's odor is more akin to a skunk spray.
You may not get a clear answer about these pests’ smell, but the purpose of their stench remains the same. When threatened, stink bugs release their signature odor to ward off predators.
While they are off-putting, stink bugs aren’t a danger to you or your home. These pests won’t bite you or spread any diseases. If your furry friend accidentally snacks on one, your pets may have an upset stomach, but stink bugs shouldn't make them seriously ill.
The stink bug's signature odor won't cause any damage either. While unpleasant, their fragrance can't make you sick but may alert other insects that they have a suitable place to hunker down for the winter.
However, if you have flowers or plants, stink bugs can pose a threat. The stink bugs may feast on fruit trees or bushes as they begin to blossom.
You’ll usually see these pests making their way indoors during colder weather. Like most insects, stink bugs try to find shelter against the harsh winter weather. They will hibernate in your home until March or April.
Photo by Jorge Urosa on Pexels
Stink bugs may start cropping up inside your home as the temperature heats up. While these tiny pests spend most of the winter hidden in your home, they will try to leave to find proper nutrition as spring approaches.
Stink bugs typically enter your home through small openings, so check for any cracks in your home and inspect doors and windows for open gaps.
Before stink bugs begin invading your home, you have some options to keep them under control.
Add bug screens to your windows, especially if you keep them open when the temperature rises. These screens will allow the air to freely flow through your home and prevent insects from flying inside.
If your existing screens have large tears, promptly repair or replace them. These pests can come indoors through small rips.
Stinks bugs can also crawl in through tiny cracks, so repair any notable crevices as you see them. Use weather stripping or door sweeps if your doors and windows create gaps when closed.
Stink bugs typically won’t eat anything when they hibernate, but clean up stray crumbs, and keep your food completely secured to stay on the safe side.
Store-bought pesticides can eliminate many common pests but may not affect a stink bug infestation. The most effective way to eliminate stink bugs is by implementing prevention methods and using traps to control their populations.
Glue traps can work wonders when you’re trying to capture insects in your home. Because these traps are ready to use out of the package, you can easily place them in areas you’ve spotted the stink bugs before.
The sticky residue will keep the bugs in place until you’re ready to dispose of the trap. You may even catch a few other pesky insects when you use these!
If you’re more creative, you can try creating your own stink bug trap. For this method, grab an empty soda bottle. Depending on the number of stink bugs you want to trap, you can either opt for a larger 2-liter bottle or a smaller 16 oz option.
Cut off the top of your bottle, and invert the top to point the opening toward the bottom. Tape this to the sides of the bottle to ensure it will not come undone.
When you spot a stinkbug, you can nudge them into the bottle and trap them inside. You won’t have to touch these pests to get them out of your home!
Do you want to trap multiple bugs at once? Try placing a LED light inside your bottle and leave your trap out at night. The stinkbugs will be attracted to the light and crawl inside. As they try to scale the inside of the bottle, they will fall back down.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on creating this trap for the best results!
Similar to the other method, you’ll want to utilize a light source again here. Get a disposable aluminum pan and fill it up with water. If you’re unsure about what to grab, look for the disposable foil pans you can find in the cooking aisle.
Add dish soap to the pan and mix it with the water. The type of soap doesn’t matter, and you can add in your favorite. After you have everything mixed together, shine a light inside the pan.
The stink bugs will flock to the light reflecting off of the pan and drown in the soapy liquid.
In fact, using water and soap can even get rid of these pests if they’re terrorizing your garden! Put this mixture in a spray bottle, and mist any stink bugs on your crops or wandering around your home.
Sometimes, infestations are too serious to handle on your own, and that’s okay! We’re here to help when your insect problems get out of control.
To discuss the best plan of action for stink bugs, contact Zunex today. We offer a year-long warranty with free reservices on our general pest control services to keep your home protected throughout the year!
By Allison Clayton
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