How to keep stink bugs out of the house – according to entomologists

Although they won't damage your home, with such an alarming moniker, you probably won't be surprised that stink bugs really do stink. For this reason, they certainly don't make welcome guests in any home.

As with any indoor pests, prevention is easier than the cure, and keeping these pesky pests from entering your home in the first place is far more simple than getting rid of them when an infestation occurs.

Here, entomologists share tips on identifying these common indoor pests, and how to deal with them successfully.

What are stink bugs?

David Price, associate certified entomologist for Mosquito Joe, a Neighborly company, explains, 'Stink bugs are an insect in the order of Hemiptera and are generally called a shield bug or sting bug. They have special glands, and when threatened or crushed they will produce a stinky odor.'

This is where they get their name, but, asides from the foul odor, they do not do any damage to the home. However, the scent can cause an allergic reaction in humans, highlights David. They can also damage crop fields, and are a pest that can destroy plants, such as fruit trees, so this is why it's important to get rid of stink bugs as swiftly as possible.

Why do stink bugs enter your home?

In order to keep stink bugs out, it's crucial to know why stink bugs come into the house in the first place.

Craig Sansig, associate certified entomologist at Viking Pest Control, advises, 'Stink bugs are most commonly encountered in and around homes in the spring and fall. Because stinkbugs overwinter as adults, they seek warmth in gaps and crevices, and within the voids of home to protect themselves from the elements.

'As winter weather fluctuates, they are often seen when temperatures rise, and they attempt to leave the house,' when they may be spotted flying around windows, lights, and even televisions, as they are attracted to light.

Additionally, Dr. Tracy Ellis, entomologist at FarmSense, adds, 'Many go unnoticed until they accumulate in large numbers for overwintering, or if the heat of summer dries down their food,' which is when they may be spotted en masse, collecting at south facing warm walls, or in the shade near water.

How to keep stink bugs out of the house

1. Seal gaps

The very best thing you can do to keep stink bugs out of the house is to seal gaps in windows, doors, and walls to block entry points. Just ensure you know which places you shouldn't caulk around windows, to avoid causing any damage.

Pest expert Craig recommends, 'Conduct a pest proofing inspection on your home. Gaps as small as a quarter inch may admit pests into your home. Utilize appropriate materials to permanently close these gaps to prevent pest entry.

'Pro tip – focus on the sides of the house that receive direct sunlight, as these are the most likely parts of the house to be infested.'

Seal around chimneys, doors and windows, using caulk such as DAP Caulk available at Amazon, and repair or replace damaged screens and worn weatherstripping on garage doors, says Jim McHale, entomologist, CEO & president at JP McHale Pest Management.

'Repair any openings on the foundation due to wear and tear,' he adds, 'and place screens on attic vents.' This can be done with mesh, such as the Stainless Steel Woven Wire Air Vent Mesh available at Amazon, which is rust and heat-resistant.

Finally, entomologist David advises making sure any crawl spaces are sealed with no contact to the outside, and sealing any plumbing, A/C, and gas line gaps using plumber's putty, such as the Oatey Plumber's Putty Sealing Compound available at Walmart.

All prices correct at time of publication.

2. Reduce plants around the house

As pretty as they might look, plants around your home, particularly on doorsteps and windowsills, act as an attractor for stink bugs.

For this reason, pest expert Crag recommends, 'Reduce plants that they feed upon from around your home where possible,' to remove the attraction to your yard, and therefore reduce the number of ways insects are entering your home.

You can also use a homemade bug spray on any remaining plants, such as white vinegar in a Spray Bottle, such as this from Target, which will effectively deter them without causing any damage.

3. Use pesticides

Finally, if you find stink bugs become a recurring problem in your home, pest expert Craig recommends that the application of appropriately labeled pesticides, such as the Bugg Insecticide available at Amazon, may be used to treat entry points around your home.

'The timing of these applications is an important consideration and should be timed so that the products are applied just before peak entry season into the home, which is typically when nighttime temperatures fall below 55 degrees Fahrenheit,' or 12 degrees Celsius, he says

'Due to the potentially large areas of treatment outside and specialized tools needed to apply pesticides in a precise manner, it is often best to call a pro to perform these applications in order to minimize the potential impact of these treatments on people and the environment.'

If you prefer not to use chemicals, you can also use home remedies to get rid of stink bugs. For example, entomologist Jim recommends using mint oil, which emits an aroma that stink bugs hate. 'Spray the oil on plant leaves, in doorways, and on windowsills to repel stink bugs,' he advises.

FAQs

Where do stink bugs nest?

Stink bugs actually don't nest, instead laying their eggs outdoors on the underside of leaves. They may congregate in groups, but often come inside seeking a quiet area to hide.

They are closely related to kudzu bugs, which is why getting rid of kudzu bugs largely follows the same principles.

Don't forget that a pest infestation doesn't mean you have a dirty home, as clean homes get pests too. The most important thing is making yours as inhospitable for pests as possible.