Stink bugs prefer tomatoes, peaches, apples, grapes, berries, corn, soybeans, peppers, alfalfa, and wheat, so check these plants first. If you haven’t crushed any stink bugs but start to notice a cilantro-like odor in your home, chances are you have an infestation.
Alternatively, you can wrap a stocking around the vacuum attachment tube to catch the bugs before they reach the bag or filter. Secure the stocking with a rubber band and push it inside the tube. Once you’ve sucked up the bugs, pull out the stocking, tie off the end, and dispose of it immediately. Refrain from using a bagless vacuum as it may smell foul for several weeks. Make sure you use a vacuum cleaner with a disposable bag.
The water pressure won’t necessarily kill them off, but this is a good tactic to use to protect your plants at a moment’s notice.
The soap will make it difficult for the insects to move, and they will ultimately drown in the water. As far as stink bug elimination methods go, this is probably the closest to an odorless option since the bugs will be killed relatively quickly.
Refrain from stepping on stink bugs with your shoes as you’ll track the scent into your home. Avoid squishing stink bugs indoors at all costs! You’ll only end up with a lingering foul smell and a messy clean-up process. [4] X Expert Source Scott McCombePest Control Specialist Expert Interview. 19 November 2019. [5] X Research source
Wait at least 12 hours and you’ll start to see the stink bugs congregating and dying in the soapy water. [6] X Research source The stink bugs will be attracted by these types of lights. A standard incandescent bulb may not work as well.
After a few hours, carefully pull out the towel and be sure to knock all of the bugs back into the water. Drain the bucket and catch the bugs in a plastic bag to dispose of them. Make sure to thoroughly wash the towel after trapping the bugs if you plan to use it for anything else.
Add some soapy water to the container to more quickly kill the bugs. If you’re trying to catch a flying stink bug, know that they have relatively slow reflexes. Keep your eye on the bug and try to capture it after it lands.
The next morning, turn off the trap and shake off or vacuum away any dead bugs.
Keep in mind that since this is not a quick death, trapped stink bugs may give off their trademark odor after being caught. Fly tape can be purchased at a hardware store. If you prefer, make a natural sticking trap by boiling a solution of equal parts water, sugar, and corn syrup. Once it’s boiled and cooled, spread it onto a piece of cardboard.
Soap kills stink bugs by breaking down their protective exoskeleton and dehydrating them.
As a preventative method, repeat this every other day for about a week. Neem oil works by disrupting the eating and mating instinct of insects. As a result, adult stink bugs that are exposed to it will gradually starve themselves and will not lay any eggs.
DE works by breaking down the waxy protective layer on an insect’s exoskeleton, essentially causing the insect to dehydrate. Look for a bag of DE at your local hardware store.
Stink bugs will sneak into any little crack or crevice they can find, so take action to seal off as many holes as you can. If you have a fireplace, attic, or other rarely-used entryways, check these areas, too. Keep doors and fireplaces flues closed while they’re not being used.
Use foam strips around your window air conditioning units to create a tight seal.
Consider cultivating beds around your property if you’d like to grow flowers or vegetables. By spending time outside taking care of your vegetation, you’ll be able to catch weeds and stink bugs sooner. Avoid simply mowing over weeds; this will only encourage stink bugs to find another home nearby.
