What Can You Use to Keep Stink Bugs Away?

Pesticides

• The most common solution to a stink bug problem is spraying the exterior of your house with a pesticide solution. There are several brands on the market; however, look for one that can withstand weathering so it will last longer. Follow the directions on the pesticide and spray the outside of the house near the cracks where stink bugs get in. Reapply the pesticide every seven to 10 days for maximum efficiency.

Weather Stripping

• The best way to keep stink bugs out of your house is to prevent them from getting inside in the first place. Apply weather stripping around doors and windows, and use silicone caulk to fill in gaps, cracks and holes around the exterior. Weather stripping and caulk will rot after awhile, so regularly check your house for problem spots, and reapply whenever necessary. Also, replace rotted wood or drywall as stink bugs can burrow in easily.

Landscaping Concerns

• Your choice of landscaping could be making your home a magnet for stink bugs. Plant your garden away from the house as stink bugs feed off of fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, beans, squash and corn. Regularly inspect any fruits of vegetables you have growing for stink bugs or their eggs. Stink bugs are also attracted by the light, so try to keep outdoor lights off in the evening, and close your doors and windows when the lights are on.

Interior Disposal

• Be careful when it comes to disposing stink bugs that have already come into your house to prevent the unpleasant smell. Use a small vacuum cleaner to suck up stink bugs and immediately empty the bag when you are finished. Indoor bug foggers are effective against stink bugs in the open, but will not kill bugs hiding in the cracks. For a single stink bug, grab it with toilet paper and flush it down the toilet.