If you’ve ever had an interaction with a stink bug, you know that they’re all around unpleasant. These insects are invasive, they can lay up to 100 eggs at a time in your home, and worst of all, they really do stink. While stink bugs are pretty much harmless when living in nature, they have proven themselves to be quite dirty (and uninvited) houseguests.
Today, stink bugs are considered common pests, and many pest control companies specialize in their removal. Do you suspect that your home has a stink bug problem? Here, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about these naughty bugs and what you can do to eliminate them from your home. Keep reading to become an expert on these creatures!
What Are Stink Bugs?
Stink bugs are insects that belong to the Hemiptera, or “true bug” order. They were introduced to American shores by accident after hitching a ride on a Chinese ship transporting shipping containers, and have made themselves permanent residents here ever since.
While stink bugs have no issue with living outdoors during the warmer months, they will enter homes when it gets cooler in order to avoid the low temperatures. Females won’t lay eggs indoors, but they will lay eggs on the outside of your home if you don’t take care of the issue in time.
Immature stink bugs hatch from eggs as nymphs and then continue to molt until their mature adults. At this point, they can fly and reproduce to create even more pests.
These brown marmorated insects are notorious for wreaking havoc on crops, and although they don’t bite or sting, they’re do emit a horrible, rotting odor when they feel threatened. That’s why, in the winter months when stink bugs seek warmth and refuge in human homes, most people decide to call pest control. Although tiny in stature, they can become a huge nuisance to families.
How to Identify a Stink Bug
The good thing about stink bugs is that they are easy for the average person to identify. They’re small, almost always shield-shaped, and the adults grow to be just under two centimeters long.
Like most insects, stink bugs have six legs that extend from the sides of their bodies and a pair of antennae that reach out from their small, easy-to-distinguish heads.
Stink bugs are identified by most entomologists by their piercing, sucking mouthparts which they use to consume plants or other small pest insects.
Depending on the species of stink bug, the adults can range in color. They could be gray or green, although most types of stink bugs are a brown hue.
If you suspect that the insects in your home are stink bugs, make sure you call us to learn about our residential pest control services. We’ll deal with the issue right away.
Getting Rid of Stink Bugs
Luckily, there’s no shortage of ways to ward off stink bugs. However, the most surefire way to make sure your home is completely free of pests is to have a pest control company come to your home.
Stink bugs love to snuggle up in tight spaces or in rooms on upper floors. They’re also often found crawling around on ceilings or tucked away in the folds of drapery. Does your home have an attic or a crawl space? Stink bugs love to congregate in masses in these places.
One technique for banishing them is to use essential oil. 10 drops of peppermint essential oil combined with 16 ounces of water and sprayed around windows and doors will work to dissuade stink bugs from coming in and setting up shop.
Another technique is to use neem oil, a natural pesticide derived from the neem tree. Mix 32 ounces of water with two teaspoons of this plant-based oil and then spray it on windowsills and around doors and other entryways.
You could also spread diatomaceous earth in the landscaping near your home’s entryways and around windows. Diatomaceous earth doesn’t harm natural soil, and it works like a pesticide to break down the exoskeletons of insects and cause them to die of dehydration.
Using garlic spray is also another way to eliminate them from your home. Pour two cups of water and four teaspoons of garlic powder into a spray bottle and spritz areas in your home where stink bugs could enter.
What if things are really bad and you have a huge invasion of these critters? Go out and buy a shop vac with a bag, and then use it specifically for vacuuming up the mass of bugs. But beware, you’ll need to dispose of the bug-filled bag before the stench overpowers you and your home.
Let Us Help Eliminate Stink Bugs From Your Home
They are tiny, but they can quickly become an enormous annoyance to you and your family. While they won’t directly harm humans, their presence and stench can make living conditions quite uncomfortable. Not to mention, they can be embarrassing guests when you have friends and family over.
While you can attempt to try these techniques for getting rid of stink bugs at home, the best way to make sure pests are completely gone is to have a pro take a look.
You don’t have to put up with your new smelly roommates if you’ve discovered that your home is infested. Instead, keep these insects under control during the colder months by calling us today for a free inspection.
