Tips and Tricks to Handle a Home Invasion of Stinkbugs

There are lots of pesky bugs that many of us would love to see disappear with the appearance of colder weather. One prevalent creature that seems to be sticking around is the infamous and infuriating stink bug. Here are some simple tips and tricks, along with some general information, to help you in the fight against this stinky sensation.

It should first be noted that in the fight against stink bugs the actual bugs themselves are harmless to humans. They do not bite humans, nor eat anything that are damaging to humans, personally. According to experts, the stink bugs’ primary motive is survival.

The University of North Dakota explains that there are more than 4,700 species of stink bugs in the world, with 250 of those residing in the United States and Canada. The stink bug finds its origins in the East, found mostly in China, Korea, and Taiwan. They first made their appearance in the United States in the mid 1990’s.

Experts report that stink bugs are responsible for more than one million dollars’ worth of crop damage annually, as their primary food sources consist of vegetables, weeds, and other locally found crops.

You might be asking yourself, if stink bugs only eat crops and aren’t harmful to humans, then why are they such a bother? According to the pest control company Orkin, most homeowners learn quickly that they should be careful when dealing with stink bugs. One unfortunate encounter with their stench is enough to have people searching for alternatives.

Most homeowners try to get rid of the bugs by sucking them up with a vacuum cleaner, but find that while walls and windows may be pest free, the inside of their vacuums now linger with the awful smell. The whole reason stink bugs come into the home in the first place in the fall is because the bugs are looking for warmth. When the bugs find holes and cracks inside of the home, they tend to quickly move inside to shield themselves from the elements. The bugs will then generally tend to stay hidden and dormant throughout the winter months, only to emerge in spring looking for an escape.

Exterminators have several tips to help homeowners get rid of these pests. The key to keeping the sink bugs out is prevention. Experts suggests making a thorough inspection of the outside of the home. Especially check doors and windows for cracks or torn screens. Attic and crawl space vents should be checked for torn or missing screens, as well. If things get out of hand, a pest professional can be consulted.

A more active and inexpensive solution to getting rid of the bugs would be to create your own simple non-toxic brew, which is a popular recommendation. The solution should mostly consist of soapy water: 1% to 2% soap to water. A Virginia Tech survey that found the most effective tool was a baking sheet full of soapy water on a counter top. The bugs find themselves drawn to the light and, ultimately, exterminate themselves.