Are you tired of trying out new products time and time again in the hope that they’ll get rid of stink bugs?
Stink bugs aren’t the worst bugs in the world, but neither are they the most loved.
Summer is a great time for many, but it also heralds a few unwanted guests in the form of stink bugs. You are probably aware that killing stink bugs by crushing them is not the most ideal way of getting rid of these pesky little critters.
If not, you should be forewarned that they will release a very potent, and unpleasant smell if you get anywhere near them, hence the name – stink bug.
So you might be asking how to get rid of stink bugs?
Know Which Bug You’re Dealing With
While all stink bugs smell, there are different types of the bug and each bug appears at different times of the year.
The most common bug in the U.S. is the brown marmorated stink bug that appears in summer.
During spring, the stink bugs that are most common are the green stink bugs which feed on fruits and vegetables.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in the House?
If your house is prone to being invaded by stink bugs, the first thing you need to ask yourself is what are the potential entry points?
Where are these bugs getting access to enter your home? Is it through the chimney, air vents, windows, or doors?
You need to find these places and plug them.
One of the most efficient ways is by using mesh screening to block all potential entry points. Silicone caulk can serve as an effective defense against the entry of the stink bugs too.
Here are the top four, surefire ways on how to get rid of stink bugs naturally.
1. Fight Odor with Odor
Smell is the major weapon of a stink bug but you can also use the same weapon against them as they don’t like particular scents. You can place scented dryer sheets against doors and windows to keep the bugs away. Another viable option is to kill a few stink bugs (outside of the house) and let their smell fend off other stink bugs.
2. Let Nature Take Its Course: Enlist the Help of a Wasp Army
A word of warning about this method of how to kill stink bugs in the house: be prepared to get stung a few times. However, it’s nature fighting nature, survival of the fittest if you will. You just need to grow some wildflowers in the yard to attract wasps. Wasps are the ultimate stink-bug-predator.
3. Use Mint Spray
Mint is a great natural repellent of stink bugs as is garlic. To create an effective spray that’ll keep the bugs out of the house, in a spray bottle, mix 500 ml of tap water with a few drops of mint oil (10 drops is fine). Shake the bottle and then spray the mixture on all your doors and windows and any other potential entryways.
4. Use Catnip Powder
Catnip powder works like a charm when it comes to ridding your house of stink bugs. It’s especially useful for sprinkling around your garden and your orchard. If you’d rather not kill stink bugs this is an eco-friendly way to deal with the problem at hand. If you find that the bugs in your neighborhood are particularly troublesome, you can even go as far as planting the catnip in front of your house to ward of the unwanted visitors.
Stink Bugs Feed On…
If you want to fight off stink bugs effectively then it’s important to know what do stink bugs eat. In general, they feed on vegetables and fruits.
If you have your own garden or orchard knowing means that you should look for repellents to use on your growing fruits and vegetables. Even post-harvest, it’s vital that all food is properly washed before being cooked and eaten.
You may want to rethink pesticides because they have a nasty habit of introducing dangerous chemicals into your food. Mint is a natural stink bug repellent. You might want to consider planting it alongside your vegetables to keep the pesky creatures away. You can even have a mint border for your garden too.