Snuffing Out Stink Bugs in Your Home

Got a stink bug problem? Getting rid of stink bugs is a lot easier than you might think. These smelly critters are problematic for some people with springtime gardens. Although they’re not typically found indoors, it is severely unpleasant when they make their presence known. Here is how you can clear the stink bugs out of your home without a stinky situation occurring.

What’s the Stink About Stink Bugs?

Stink bugs are relatively harmless: They even like cohabiting with humans in the winter. They are named after the pungent stench they release when they are stressed or otherwise threatened. The smell is something akin to extremely strong cilantro, chemically-laden paper pulp, and dirty socks. 

Typically, their smell lingers in the air once released, and can make your home rather unpleasant. Generally, stink bugs don’t nest in homes during the hot summer months. However, in the colder winter months, they seek shelter from the cold by crawling into cracks and crevices in houses and outbuildings. As temperatures start warming up in the spring, they come out of hiding to feed and mate. 

Snuffing Them Out

Stink bugs are easy to manage. It is relatively easy to prevent them from taking over your home. In fact, here are a few ways to snuff these smelly guys out: 

Try Their Hiding Spots

Looking for stink bugs is easy. Homeowners often find stink bugs in living rooms and areas with a window for warm and sunny light to filter in. Check your window sills as well as other places that are close to a window or source of warmth. Door frames and wooden siding, exterior fixtures, electrical outlets, and light fixtures are common hiding spots for stink bugs. 

Signs that you have an infestation include shedded skins—as well as bugs dead and alive. Typically, you will be more likely to spot them on a warm day. 

How to Prevent Them

In most cases, prevention is better than treatment. Before the cold sets in, it is essential to prepare your home for a possible bug invasion. Here are some ways to ensure your winter is stink-free: 

• Seal and caulk any exterior opening. 
• Ensure that screens are fitted to your vents and surrounding crawl spaces. 
• Use sweep guards or other weather stripping to seal gaps around doors. 
• Essential oils like mint can help deter them from entering your home. Mix 10 drops of Mint EO or a like mixture with 16 oz. of water and liberally spray doors and windows. 
• You can spread diatomaceous earth across windows and entryways; it will dehydrate them and eventually cause their deaths. 
• Remember to switch off lights at night as warmth attracts them. To trap them, place a large dish of stink bug bait (a mixture of dish soap, water, and vinegar) under a warm lamp overnight. They will fall into the liquid without emitting a stink. 
• Vacuum them up. If stinky creepy crawlies make you uncomfortable, simply put a vacuum to them. 

Get a Handle on Pests 

Stink bugs are generally easy to manage on your own. They can quickly be scooped up and removed from your home or property. However, if you are dealing with an infestation or are struggling to manage a large swarm, it is best to call qualified stink bug removal experts in Birmingham, AL. 

Vulcan Termite & Pest Control  is a qualified Birmingham pest control provider that can help you manage household critters. Get in touch today!