Keep reading, as I will give you tips on getting rid of stink bugs in apartments and on garden plants.

About Stink Bug Extermination

With the colder months come to the snow, but that isn’t the only thing that comes with it. There are unpleasant guests known as stink bugs who find their way into homes to overwinter.

These bugs can be a real pain in the nose. Yes, nose! Not because they bite but because they stink, especially in large numbers.

As their name implies, stink bugs are a “nose-sore” (if such a word exists). This is because they smell bad, and it gets worse when they are in large numbers.

These bugs cannot stand extreme cold temperatures, so they find their way into people’s homes to spend the winter.

Stink bugs can feed on decaying organic food crumbs, so don’t be surprised if you find them near your bins or leftover food. They are also attracted to light so they can crawl up close to your desk or wall lamps after a nice meal.

They also love moisture, so if they are in your home, you can expect to find them hanging around leaking pipes or other damp areas.

These bugs do not bite humans or suck mammal blood, so you are safe from them. However, the smell they produce cannot be tolerated, so they have to go!

How To Get Rid Of Stink Bugs

You can employ several means to get rid of these unpleasant pests. I will list some options below.

  • Use A Fly Swatter

Stink bugs stink, and they stink even more when they are crushed. Nonetheless, one of the fastest ways of eradicating them on sight is to swat them dead.

Once again, they smell terrible and even worse when they burst open.

If you can withstand the smell, spank them with the fly swatter. I will advise you to make sure you have a face mask on when you do, to reduce the intensity of the smell.

If you are extra careful, you can swat them without bursting them open. The blow has to be soft enough to avoid splatter but hard enough to kill them. If you’re well calculated, you’ll swing just right, and they’ll be dead.

Take out all the dead bugs and dispose of them properly after swatting.

  • Vacuum Them Up

Another way to remove them from your home is to grab a vacuum cleaner and scoop them up.

These bugs aren’t the best at hiding, so you can easily find them around areas of your house that they find comfortable.

Run the vacuum over them several times to ensure it sucks them all in. If they are hiding in places where the vacuum cannot access, like under the kitchen sink, then use a broom to knock them off the pipes and onto the ground, then continue with the vacuum.

When you’re done, empty the vacuum bag immediately to prevent the odor from sticking.

  • Ventilate Your Home

Stink Bugs love moisture, and one way to get rid of or reduce the humidity in your home is to ventilate properly.

You can leave all the fans on for some hours to promote better airflow. You can also leave your doors and windows open as insurance.

Doing this will reduce the moisture at home, and the less water there is, the fewer stink bugs you will find in your home.

You could also use a dehumidifier to help the situation. They are not expensive, so you can quickly get one.

  • Fix All Leaking Pipes

Stink Bugs will crawl up and lodge in moisture or leaking water spaces. If your kitchen or bathroom sink has a busted pipe, water will spread, and stink bugs will make their way there.

A simple solution is to get your pipes and all leakages fixed. Your plumber can do that for you for a small fee. If you are the DIY type, then you can do it yourself.

If the living conditions in your home are no longer favorable to them, then they will leave.

  • Don’t Encourage Their Feeding

What draws stink bugs to your house? Leftovers!

Every living creature needs food to survive, and it’s a no-brainer that when an organism’s food source is gone from where they usually get it, it must explore other options.

In your home, stink bugs could have different feeding options, depending on your level of hygiene.

If you’re the type that eats late at night and leaves the leftover food overnight, then you’re providing more than enough food for the bugs.

Also, if your trash bin is full, among the contents, decaying organic food, you are giving the stink bugs feeding options.

One of the best means to get rid of stink bugs is by not offering them anything, especially food.

Make sure your trash bins are emptied regularly and free of decaying food. Also, take the plate away and wash it clean when you eat. Throw all leftovers away and dispose of them properly.

A quick tip is to use airtight plastic bags to gather your junk. Stink Bugs will not be able to rip through such bags and will be forced to go and explore other feeding options.

  • Use Commercial Insecticides

The most effective remedy for killing indoor insects is using insecticides and stink bug killer sprays.

A potent insecticide will kill stink bugs in a few minutes.

I would recommend the use of chemical-based insecticides. They are more robust than organically made insecticides and have repelling qualities.

The only issue with chemical-based insecticides is that they are toxic. Remember, you must be careful when using such an insecticide.

Keep containers away from the reach of children and pets. Also, protect yourself when you use them.

  • Use Homemade Insecticides

Homemade insecticides will not be as potent as commercial, chemical-based insecticides. Nonetheless, they also work very well.

You can make chili and garlic solutions to drive the bugs away. Garlic and chili both have harsh effects on most small insects, and stink bugs are among such that will suffer any direct contact with a garlic and chili combination.

Using Neem oil is also an organic way to eliminate stink bugs with essential oils.

  • Try Boric Acid

This is also a suitable way to fight off stink bugs. Boric acid can be sprinkled directly on the stink bugs or applied in the areas where they are very active.

When they come in contact with the boric acid, they will drop dead soon enough.

How To Get Rid Of Stink Bugs In The Garden Naturally

Here is how to eliminate stink bugs on tomatoes and other garden plants.

If you find that a bunch of stink bugs have begun creeping into your garden, you need to do something about it quickly.

The challenge with garden pest control is that a gardener would want to eliminate the pests using methods that will not harm the plants. This means natural control measures would be the best option.

One of the best ways to control a pest naturally is to introduce a natural predator into the environment.

Stink Bugs might smell harmful to humans but taste good to frogs and lizards.

If you notice stink bug activity in your garden, you can introduce some natural predators to eat them.

Get one or two frogs and lizards and place them in your garden. All you have to do afterward is to keep living your regular life while the predators do the job for you.

The only disadvantage of introducing natural predators is that they will eat the beneficial insects.

You can also try making an organic pesticide spray. A garlic and cayenne pepper combo is always recommended as an organic and non-toxic way to eliminate garden pests.

How To Control Stink Bugs

Follow the tips below to control stink bugs around your yard and home.

  • Seal Of All Cracks

Stink Bugs will explore as many opportunities as possible to get into your home. The cracks and spaces between your doors and windows must be sealed to keep the bugs out.

  • Reduce Lights

Stink Bugs are attracted to lights, so the fewer of them you have in your yard, the fewer stink bugs you will see.

  • Use Air-Tight Trash Bags

If the stink bugs can access the decaying food in the bin, they will keep visiting and spending time there. But if they cannot, then they will go elsewhere.

Use airtight trash bags and seal them tightly after you have dumped the waste inside.

Conclusion

Stink Bugs do not bite or sting; they are just so bad, especially in large numbers.

Follow the tips above to get rid of them. You can also learn how to trap stink bugs as part of their control measures.

I hope this article on how to get rid of stink bugs has been helpful.

Take care!

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