How Do I Get Rid of Stink Bugs in My Home?
We have a stink bug problem in our house, and they are EVERYWHERE. It started with just a few but they've multiplied and I'm now killing upwards of 10 a day. It's ridiculous. So, what tips and tricks do you have to get rid of stink bugs and prevent more from coming in? I'm so frustrated!
I’d start by checking the area where you keep finding the bugs for gaps to the outside. Fill them in with silicone, grout, or whatever material is most appropriate. Then, what you want to try to do is use an insecticide that has a repellent effect to create a barrier outside of your home. Follow the instructions and apply it as needed until the stinkbugs stop showing up. I know it can be irritating, but you have to be persistent to keep bugs out of your home.
In my experience, diatomaceous earth is the best option. It’s this eco-friendly granular stuff that you can sprinkle on the ground and the stink bugs can’t get past it without cutting themselves up and dying. It sounds intense but is actually organic and safe. If I were you, I’d sprinkle plenty of that stuff around the rim of the door or window where the bugs are coming in. Just keep it up and eventually the bugs should stop trying to get in.
You can also use peppermint oil, if you don't have pets (because it can be toxic to cats and dogs). Just combine a squirt of dish soap, some peppermint oil, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas where you see the bugs to repel them or even spray them directly and it will kill them.
You can also use peppermint oil, if you don't have pets (because it can be toxic to cats and dogs). Just combine a squirt of dish soap, some peppermint oil, and water in a spray bottle. Spray the areas where you see the bugs to repel them or even spray them directly and it will kill them.
I had this problem years ago. It turned out my humidifier was to blame. I live in a really dry area and ran a humidifier all day. Well, it turns out stink bugs really love humidity. They were coming indoors trying to stay comfortable. I just ended up turning the humidifier off for a week or so and the stink bugs disappeared. I don’t know if this applies to your situation, but it could be a potential reason you keep seeing new stinkbugs every day.
The poster who was talking about humidity is so right. For me, it turned out the stink bugs were attracted to my garbage disposal. There were food scraps in there and that combined with the moisture from the sink was just apparently a huge draw for the stinkbugs. I guess what I’m saying is that if the moisture thing doesn’t apply, they may be attracted to the crumbs or scraps in your kitchen. Try cleaning up after you seal your home and see if that helps. I hope it works out, I know first-hand that stink bugs can be super annoying.
If the stink bugs are attracted to houseplants, try spraying them with neem oil. Neem oil is an organic and natural oil that protects plants from pests—including stink bugs. Mix a few spoonfuls of neem oil into a spray bottle full of water and just mist your plants periodically. The stink bugs will leave your plants alone (or die trying to climb on them).
I don’t necessarily have any good tips on getting rid of them, but you may notice an uptick in stink bugs whenever the weather changes. Stink bugs generally prefer to stay outside, but they scurry for shelter whenever the days get short or the weather turns to get colder. If you’re seeing the bugs out of nowhere and it’s the turn of a season, at least take solace in the fact that the bugs will probably voluntarily leave you alone once the weather gets warmer.
What’s on your mind? Ask anything.
Get advice and feedback from experts and wikiHow readers just like you.
Ask a Question
More Forum Discussions
What do other wikiHow readers have to say?
Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.
Reader Tips from How to Kill a Stink Bug
The bugs are attracted to light. I have had a ton of success setting a light out over a bowl of soapy water. Overnight, I'll just leave the light one and in the morning the bowl is filled with the bugs.
I suspect that white vinegar only works on certain species of stink bug. Only about half of the stink bugs I catch die in vinegar. The other half seem like they're able to swim around just fine.
Nail polish remover also works! Put a little bit of the remover in a spray bottle and spritz the bugs. It'll knock them out right away.
Reader Tips from How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs Naturally
I like vacuuming the bugs whenever I see them. If you're going to vacuum the stink bugs though, empty the bag outdoors immediately. Believe me, I've made the mistake of just leaving the vacuum inside and boy does it end up smelling terrible after a while.
Stink bugs get into my house fairly often. I just keep a spray bottle filled with soapy water at my sink. Whenever I spot a stink bug, I just spritz it with the water and the stink bugs die without releasing their nasty fumes.
Reader Tips from How to Get Rid of All Insects in Your Yard
If you have any ladybugs or spiders that like to hang out near your home, I'd recommend leaving them alone. I get a lot of stink bugs where I live and the ladybugs and spiders prey on them. Better to keep the bug violence outside of the home than to let the stinky critters indoors.
I saw another poster mentioned stink bugs. I've had a lot of success just leaving lavender plants on my windowsill. Apparently, they deter stink bugs from trying to get into your home. I don't know how true that is, but I used to get them all the time and now I don't!
