How Do You Get Rid Of Stink Bugs | Stink Bug Control

Stink bug problems are extremely common in most households, considering that there are 260 known species of them that roam the world, but the United States is where they are the biggest problem typically, with 12 specific variations that cause the most frustration. They have stink gland which is used as a defensive mechanism against predators, which is the same odor that gives them their name.

Guide on stink bug control

Much like ladybugs and other pests, around winter time is when they tend to be the biggest problem, because they are seeking refuge inside people's homes to escape the cold conditions of outside weather. This is good for them, but bad for the homeowner. If you have a vegetable garden outside of your home, this is where they typically like to reside during the warmer seasons, and if you are quite fond of growing award winning plants, this can be a problem in itself.

>> what are stink bugs? <<

Stink bugs thrive off of the sap from the leaves of your plants, which of course can do harm to your vegetables and flowers. The methods for getting rid of stink bugs outside and inside are completely different.

Stink Bug Control In Your Home

But how do you get rid of stink bugs? These insects can be as large as an inch in diameter, but that doesn't mean that they can sneak into your home through tiny cracks that you haven't considered yet. The best way to keep stink bugs out is to properly seal your home when it's warmer outside. This requires doing both from the outside and inside.

However, most people who have a stink bug infestation find that it's already winter time and too late to do anything about the outside of the house, so taking care of things from the inside out is what should be focused on at this point.

Consider every crack, nook and cranny that a pest could enter through. For some reason, stink bugs tend to gravitate towards the south/western direction of your home, so this might be a good place to start. Make sure that you focus on all cracks, including the ones that you wouldn't normally consider.

Places where walls meet ceilings, fixture cracks, door and windows frames are a good place to start. If you encounter mass congregations of the little critters already in your house, sweep them up and make sure to empty the contents of your vacuum into a garbage bag, then tightly seal it.

How do you get rid of stink bugs if you don't understand what they are attracted to? Above all, like many bugs, stink bugs are attracted to light. You may even find them most commonly gravitating towards well lit areas in your home. You can actually buy lighting traps that can catch them much earlier. Make sure to empty your traps on a regular basis, however when you notice that there is no more activity, it does not mean that your problem is conquered, it simply means that they have wised up and moved to a new location. Move your stink bug trap to new locations and repeat this process.

Remember that if stink bugs are attracted to light, they aren't just gravitating towards your lamps and bulbs. Windows are a prime area for them to hang out, especially on sunny days. Sticky tape is a good solution for this area, and can be applied around your window frame to catch them.

How do you get rid of stink bugs if you don't know what they eat? At this point you might be wondering what do stink bugs eat to see if there is something that you are leaving out in your kitchen that might be attracting them to your inside environment. It's probably most unlikely that this is the source of the problem, because stink bugs eat leaves, flowers and feast on crops, primarily that of soybeans.

However, they do also like fruit, so anything sticky that is left out my attract them as well. Consider another option other than leaving a bowl of fruit out for that to devour. They also will feed on the carcasses of other dead bugs, mainly caterpillars. So this is also why it's important that you keep your home clean, because any insect "mummies" that are left around the house can certainly attract them and making a yummy meal.

Stink bugs are not harmful to humans and do not carry diseases. This means that a stink bug cannot do any severe damage if it gets a hold of you, but unlike what many sources say - although stink bugs are technically not capable of biting, for lack of a mandible, they do use sucking. They have two main forms of self defense. The first is their toxic odor that they release, and the second is their sucker.

If a stink bug uses it's sucking defense on you, you may notice a red blotch around the area, much like that of a rash. Although there is no permanent harm done, it can be quite irritating. You should approach and treat the area of discomfort like that of any other harmless insect bite. Wash it carefully and apply soothing ointment for bites and stings.

The sad thing is that many sources online claim that a stink bug bite is something that just doesn't happen, and that it is innocent. They do nip you, and although it's not severe, it can still be irritating to the skin and depending on your pain level, can really hurt. This is just one more reason to want to get rid of stink bugs.

If you cannot get rid of stink bugs after all of the recommended natural suggestions here, then you probably will need to resort to using a pesticide, chemical or exterminator. Many people worry about the health and safety of their pets and family when using these poisons, and rightfully so.

However, if you choose to consult with an exterminator, there is a good chance that they will be able to provide a chemical spray that is non toxic to humans or animals that might also be used in the home. The only drawback of calling an exterminator in is that they can be expensive.

Talstar Pro is a chemical product that can be used on the outside of your house. You should apply it to the south/western exterior of your home, as this is the are that stink bugs routinely move towards. By mixing exactly 1 oz of Talstar Pro to 1 gallon of water, you can create a spray solution that can be emitted with a pump sprayer. It doesn't take too much, but try your best to cover as much of the exterior walls as possible.

However, some chemicals can be very dangerous if misused. You should always keep them away from your children, avoid touching your skin, rubbing your eyes, and getting it near your mouth. If this happens, please call the local poison control center.

Guide on stink bug control

Now I would like to mention a wonderful guide that I found online. It was written by a man who had such a severe stink bug infestation problem, that everything he tried would not work, including some of the suggestions found here, because stink bugs can be relentless.

This resource was created out of the shear frustration that one man experienced, where upon his neighbor told him and other people in the community exactly what to do. Upon applying these key techniques he was able to eliminated the stink bug problem for good, and this one little guide has helped over 1,470 people. You can read their experiences on the website http://www.getridofstinkbugsnow.com.

Here is a quick breakdown of what the guide covers:

8 proven strategies that prevent stink bugs from getting into your home or garden in the first place

3 important things that you should never do that could make matters worse

The exact places where stink bugs lay their eggs, so you can kill them at the very core

2 stink bug traps that you can make on your own. These are both easy to build and cost nothing to make

step-by-step plan of action to eliminate an infestation that you already have on your hands

4 chemical free alternatives that work

Covers the root cause of stink bugs

It also comes with 4 great, free bonuses. They are...

"Greenhouse Maintenance"
"Your Garden: Neighbor's Envy - Owner's Pride"
"Garden Secrets For A Lush Garden"
"How To Win Your War Against Bed Bugs"

Wikipedia article on stink bugs