Typically, in the fall, you can find the brown stink bug crawling around your home, sneaking indoors in search of a cozy spot for winter hibernation. As their name suggests, stink bugs emit an unpleasant odor when disturbed, so it's good to know how to get rid of stink bugs. Stink bugs are downright unpleasant to be around, especially since they're known to congregate in large groups in your home like a scene out of a horror movie. It's difficult to completely eliminate them, so you should know a few things about this pesky insect and how to get rid of it.
The brown stink bug is usually 14 to 17 mm long and spends the winter hiding in the corners of your home. VW Photo/Getty Images
Are stink bugs harmful?
Many stink bug species are native to the United States, but the stink bug is native to Asia. They came to the United States in his 1990s and were first discovered in Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1998. Since its arrival, it has rapidly spread across the United States and has been seen in nearly every state. With few natural enemies in North America, their numbers have exploded in the more than 20 years since their arrival.
Unfortunately, brown stink bugs (and other species of this insect) love to eat fruits and vegetables. They have caused millions of dollars in crop losses to farmers in the United States and other countries. They will also devour ornamental plants. Especially young individuals also eat weeds and grass. However, their appetite is limited to plants, so stink bugs won't bite you, and they won't cause damage to your home like termites or carpenter ants.
Why are stink bugs in the house?
Unlike native stink bugs, stink bugs seek out protected structures such as homes and garages to spend the winter, and they typically number in the hundreds or even thousands. When one of these insects finds a warm and cozy place to overwinter, it can emit pheromones to attract other insects to that location (don't worry, it won't) (You can't smell it.)
Once indoors, stink bugs typically seek out small crevices to burrow in, such as cracks in walls or attics, but they can end up anywhere. However, they prefer high places, so they usually congregate on the upper floors of your home rather than in your basement. Stink bugs also prefer close contact with each other and other objects. As a result, stink bugs don't mind stacking on top of each other in tight spaces, and can be found in snug spots like the creases of curtains or hidden spots. Behind the hanging photo.
I have some good news. If you find stink bugs in your home, there is no need to worry that stink bugs are laying eggs in your home. These insects undergo a process similar to winter hibernation called diapause. This means that your metabolism slows down significantly when it's cold outside. They migrate and fly slowly (if at all) and do not breed or lay eggs until spring. By that time, they will be out of the house and looking for the underside of leaves to lay their eggs.
How to prevent stink bug invasion
Preventing stink bugs from entering your home in the first place can be difficult. Researchers at Virginia Tech have discovered that these insects can enter through gaps as small as 3 to 7 millimeters. A penny is about 1.5 millimeters thick, so if you put two of them together you can see how much 3 millimeters is. This is so small that while repairing holes in window and door shutters or screen doors can cover larger entry points, it is nearly impossible to block all possible cracks.
How to get rid of stink bugs
When dealing with a few stink bugs, many people simply throw them outside. If you want to keep the insects at arm's length, vacuuming is a surefire way to get rid of stink bugs you find in your home. Small shop vacuum cleaners are especially effective because they can easily reach bugs near the top of walls and ceilings. Empty the vacuum immediately afterwards, preferably in a sealable bag. They have been known to survive and crawl out when placed inside a vacuum cleaner.
Another way to get rid of stink bugs is to use a homemade stink bug trap. One of his popular DIY traps is to fill a small tray or pot with soapy water and place it under a nightlight or desk lamp. Insects are attracted to the light and fall into the water and drown.
Crushing stink bugs produces an unpleasant odor, so crushing them should only be done as a last resort. But crushing some can keep others at bay. Researchers at Virginia Tech observed that live stink bugs tend to avoid other newly crushed stink bugs. The slight smell may be worth it, but crushing this relatively large insect (about three-quarters of an inch long) is not for the faint of heart.
Most insecticides labeled for household use are not very effective against stink bugs. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, common insecticides can kill these pests in your home, but they won't prevent further pest infestations. If your home has a large infestation of hundreds or even thousands of stink bugs, the best way to get rid of them is to contact a pest control company to minimize the infestation.
Stink bugs are a terrifying nuisance, but with a little preparation in the fall, you can keep them at bay during the cold months and get rid of them when they invade your home. As warm weather arrives, we hope that the only place you'll see these pests will be outdoors.