How To Get Rid Of Stink Bugs Without Harming Your Home or Property
Stink bugs have a shield-shaped body which is very wide and measures about 1/2 inch long.
The most common species range in color from green to brown.
Although, one species is a bright red and black.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) has lighter bands on the antennae and darker bands on the rear of the front pair of wings.
They have patches of coppery or bluish-metallic colored punctures (small rounded depressions) on the head.
The eyes are a deep red.
The eggs are elliptical (1.
6 x 1.
3 mm), and are light yellow to yellow-red in color with minute spines forming fine lines.
They are typically attached side-by-side to the underside of leaves in masses of 20 to 30 eggs.
How To Get Rid Of Stink Bugs Stink bugs are persistent and smelly.
Getting rid of them will require some patience and professional help.
In the meantime, you can use a vacuum to remove both live and dead stink bugs.
Vacuums with bags are good, since you can immediately seal, remove and discard them.
Even if you change the bag or empty the canister frequently, however, the vacuum may acquire the smell of stink bugs for a period of time.
If you are in a stink bug susceptible area, prevention is your best course of action.
If numerous bugs are entering the living areas of your home, attempt to locate the openings where the insects gained access.
If you are bug-free, take time to repair damaged screens on doors and windows, and loose bits of flashing.
Use silicone or silicone-latex caulk on the following areas:
Stinkbugs don't like it (neither do wasps, boxelder bugs, ladybugs and other invasive insects) and they'll avoid siding, fencing, railing, decks, logs, overhangs, soffits and any place NBS has been used.
It can be added to any paint or stain and will last 1-2 years.
It is made from plant oils and is a 100% natural product rather than a pesticide.
For current infestations, you will need to kill off the returning adults and keep new ones from establishing themselves in your home before you will have a stink bug free winter.
It will take 1-2 seasons and usually a year or more to break the reproduction cycle that may be happening deep inside attics, crawl spaces and wall voids.
The bugs are covered in a hard armor, which protects them from the effects of consumer pesticides.
Since many pesticides are broken down by exposure to sunlight, the residual effect of such applications may not last more than a week.
It is ineffective to spray products inside your home.
They will not prevent insects from coming in through unsealed crevices.
Stink bugs will readily move to untreated sides trying to find ways into the homes which have been shelters in the past.
It is not advisable to use an insecticide inside after the insects have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas.
Carpet beetles will feed on the dead stink bugs and subsequently attack woolens, stored dry goods, grain products of all kinds, pet food, and many other food items.
The best thing to do is call a licensed structural pest control operator who can apply special products in the fall, just before insects begin to congregate.
The most common species range in color from green to brown.
Although, one species is a bright red and black.
The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) has lighter bands on the antennae and darker bands on the rear of the front pair of wings.
They have patches of coppery or bluish-metallic colored punctures (small rounded depressions) on the head.
The eyes are a deep red.
The eggs are elliptical (1.
6 x 1.
3 mm), and are light yellow to yellow-red in color with minute spines forming fine lines.
They are typically attached side-by-side to the underside of leaves in masses of 20 to 30 eggs.
How To Get Rid Of Stink Bugs Stink bugs are persistent and smelly.
Getting rid of them will require some patience and professional help.
In the meantime, you can use a vacuum to remove both live and dead stink bugs.
Vacuums with bags are good, since you can immediately seal, remove and discard them.
Even if you change the bag or empty the canister frequently, however, the vacuum may acquire the smell of stink bugs for a period of time.
If you are in a stink bug susceptible area, prevention is your best course of action.
If numerous bugs are entering the living areas of your home, attempt to locate the openings where the insects gained access.
If you are bug-free, take time to repair damaged screens on doors and windows, and loose bits of flashing.
Use silicone or silicone-latex caulk on the following areas:
- window frames,
- door frames,
- base mouldings,
- around light fixtures exhaust fans,
- cracks in siding,
- around utility pipes,
- behind chimneys,
- underneath wood fascia,
- around attic vents,
- around any openings where utility pipes and wires enter your house.
Stinkbugs don't like it (neither do wasps, boxelder bugs, ladybugs and other invasive insects) and they'll avoid siding, fencing, railing, decks, logs, overhangs, soffits and any place NBS has been used.
It can be added to any paint or stain and will last 1-2 years.
It is made from plant oils and is a 100% natural product rather than a pesticide.
For current infestations, you will need to kill off the returning adults and keep new ones from establishing themselves in your home before you will have a stink bug free winter.
It will take 1-2 seasons and usually a year or more to break the reproduction cycle that may be happening deep inside attics, crawl spaces and wall voids.
The bugs are covered in a hard armor, which protects them from the effects of consumer pesticides.
Since many pesticides are broken down by exposure to sunlight, the residual effect of such applications may not last more than a week.
It is ineffective to spray products inside your home.
They will not prevent insects from coming in through unsealed crevices.
Stink bugs will readily move to untreated sides trying to find ways into the homes which have been shelters in the past.
It is not advisable to use an insecticide inside after the insects have gained access to the wall voids or attic areas.
Carpet beetles will feed on the dead stink bugs and subsequently attack woolens, stored dry goods, grain products of all kinds, pet food, and many other food items.
The best thing to do is call a licensed structural pest control operator who can apply special products in the fall, just before insects begin to congregate.
