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EcoGuard Pest Management
Stink bug removal and prevention methods
By Gary Anderson||4 min read

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

Effective removal methods and prevention tips to keep these smelly invaders out.

Stink bugs are a noticeable nuisance pest that can invade your home in large numbers and fill it with an unpleasant odor. If a single stink bug finds its way inside, they leave a pheromone trail for other stink bugs to follow.

This can cause a large infestation in a short period of time. Thankfully, there are many effective ways to get rid of stink bugs and prevent them from infesting your home.

Why You Should Not Crush Stink Bugs

Squashing stink bugs releases the foul odor they are named for. This smell also repels their natural predators. Always remove stink bugs without crushing them.

Why Are Stink Bugs Inside Your Home?

Brown marmorated stink bugs prefer to seek shelter inside when temperatures drop and they enter a phase called diapause, similar to hibernation.

Pheromone Attraction

Once inside, stink bugs release an aggregation pheromone that draws other stink bugs to their location. This increases the likelihood of mating in spring.

Good News

Stink bugs will not reproduce or lay eggs inside your home. During diapause, they lay dormant. They prefer to lay eggs on the underside of leaves outdoors.

What Attracts Stink Bugs?

Warmth & Shelter

Primary reason for winter entry

Ornamental Plants

Gardens and landscaping

Fruits & Vegetables

Including scraps lying around

Nuts

Food source attraction

Lights

Bright lights around property

Pheromones

Released by other stink bugs

Best Ways to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

RECOMMENDED

Vacuum

The easiest way to remove stink bugs without creating odor. Suck them up and immediately dispose of the vacuum bag in a sealed receptacle.

Soapy Water Trap

Fill a jar or bucket with dish soap and water. Place beneath a stink bug. Their instinct is to drop straight down when threatened. Cover and they will drown without releasing odor.

Neem Oil

Natural, plant-based insecticide. Mix 32 oz water with 2 teaspoons neem oil. Spray along entry points. Safe for bees and butterflies. Use caution around children and pets.

Diatomaceous Earth

Natural powder from fossilized diatoms. Spread around entry points. Breaks down exoskeleton causing death by dehydration.

Chemical Pesticides

If natural methods fail, use spray pesticides containing deltamethrin. Apply to entry points and areas with stink bug activity.

Sticky Traps

Place lint remover sheet on a dry mophead. Good for catching stink bugs high on walls. Place trapped bugs in soapy water.

Large Stink Bug Infestation?

DIY methods work for small numbers. For hundreds of stink bugs, call the professionals.

Call (866) 326-2847

Best Ways to Prevent Stink Bugs

Make these preparations in late Fall, just as temperatures begin to drop:

Seal Access Points

Check siding, porch, chimney, pipes, brick mortar, roof overhang. Seal gaps with caulk or silicone.

Repair Screens

Inspect screen doors and windows for tears. Check weather stripping for gaps.

Turn Off Lights

Turn off porch lights at night. Use curtains to mute indoor light.

Reduce Moisture

Check for clogged drains, leaking pipes. Use dehumidifiers, especially in attics.

Ventilate

Open doors and windows (with screens) to allow fresh air and reduce moisture.

Eliminate Food

Store produce in containers or refrigerator. Dispose of trash in sealed containers.

Check Belongings

Inspect storage boxes, grocery bags, backpacks before bringing inside.

Maintain Landscaping

Trim branches away from home. Store firewood 5+ inches off ground.

Contact EcoGuard Pest Management If You Are Dealing with Stink Bugs

The methods above are effective for small numbers of stink bugs. Large-scale infestations involving hundreds or thousands of stink bugs are much more difficult to manage. Contact EcoGuard Pest Management for severe infestations. We know how to get rid of stink bugs using the safest and most efficient methods, and we can help prevent infestations from happening again.

Call (866) 326-2847Get Free Quote

Getting Rid of Stink Bug FAQs

What keeps stink bugs away?

The best way to keep stink bugs away is to seal gaps in your home where they can enter. These gaps are often in your siding, chimney, screens, and baseboards. You can also keep stink bugs out by spreading pesticides on entry points and keeping your home free of moisture.

How to kill stink bugs?

The best way to kill stink bugs is without crushing them because that is when they release the smell that they are notorious for. Other ways to kill stink bugs is to use pesticides, diatomaceous earth, or soapy water to drown them.

How do I get rid of stink bugs ASAP?

If you are only dealing with one or two stink bugs, the fastest way to remove them is to suck them up in your vacuum cleaner. If you are dealing with a large stink bug infestation, call a pest control specialist immediately. They will use the fastest and most efficient removal methods.

Why shouldn't you kill stink bugs?

Squashing a stink bug will create the smelly odor that the bugs are named for. The smell also repels the stink bug's natural predators, making it harder to keep their populations in check. It is best to remove stink bugs without crushing them by vacuuming, using sticky traps, or drowning in soapy water.

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