You’re not alone if you’ve noticed an increase of stink bugs in and around your home, especially if you live in the East Coast or Midwest. Early autumn is when these insects are most active, and they’re looking for a spot to cluster in huge numbers (often while giving off an unusual odor).
There are various sorts of stink bugs to be aware of, but brown marmorated stink bugs are one of the most frequent in the United States, with brown marmorated stink bugs being found in over half of the states. They feature a marbled pattern on their backs and a distinctive shield form (like the one in the image above).
They won’t harm you or your pets, but if you have a home garden or grow crops, they can be a real pain. Because stink bugs are herbivores, they will wreak havoc on plants in their search for food.
What about that odor? When they are threatened, they have glands that produce a foul stench as a defense mechanism.
But why are they coming to your house in the first place? Read on to learn more, as well as what you can do to permanently eliminate these pests. Find more about stink bug extermination near me.
What attracts stink bugs to your home?
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They’re looking for a place to stay.
As the weather cools, stink bugs seek cover inside for diapause, a stage in their life cycle when they are dormant.
A stink insect enters diapause because there is no food for it to eat during that time in nature. The metabolism of a stink bug slows down during this time, allowing it to fall dormant. -
They’ve been tipped off by a smell trail.
When a stink bug finds a suitable hiding site, it emits a pheromone that attracts other stink bugs to the area. Bring on the enormous stink bug bash you didn’t like.
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There are a lot of lights in your house.
Bright lights are attractive to stink bugs. If you have a stink bug problem and tend to leave external lights on at night, it’s a good idea to switch off your lights and close your blinds before going to bed.
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They have easy access due to the lack of entry points.
Stink bugs enter through foundations and roofs through cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes. They also get in through the cracks in the windows and door frames. “Stink bugs can enter into your home if there are a number of entry points.”
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You reside near a rural area with lots of greenery.
Because stink bugs are herbivores, they prefer to congregate in agricultural fields, orchards, bushes, trees, and huge gardens. If you live near one of such regions, they may simply relocate from their current position to your (warmer) residence.
They prefer to live in rural areas. “They’ve been eating corn and soybeans all summer, and your house is getting in the way.”
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Your home is constructed entirely of natural materials.
In nature, stink bugs prefer to rest under the bark of a dead tree or in a large, rocky fissure when they enter diapause. Stink bugs may confuse your dark-colored home with natural siding for their usual hangout location, prompting them to congregate in your home.
What is the best way to get rid of stink bugs?
To get rid of stink bugs, you might use a combination of prevention and removal techniques.
First and foremost, secure your residence.
Caulk, foam sealant, weather stripping tape, sweeps, mesh screens, or whatever material makes appropriate for that place should be used to seal cracks around vents, windows, door frames, utility boxes, and baseboards. It’s also a good idea to make sure your siding and pipes are secure, and if you have a fireplace, sealing the chimney when you’re not using it can help keep stink bugs out.
Then take them in your arms.
If you happen to come across some stink bugs, sucking them up with your vacuum is the easiest (and cleanest) way to get rid of them. “For a while, the vacuum may smell like stink bugs. After that, always empty the vacuum.”
You can also put soapy water in the top of a plastic water bottle, scoop up the bugs, and let them fall in and drown. Then you can return them to the environment, dump them in the garbage in a sealed bag, or add them to your compost pile.
Are you tempted to use pesticide? It’s better to avoid them because there’s no one area where the chemicals may be sprayed, which could be dangerous if you have children or pets running around. Check out more about stink bug extermination near me.
