Do Holly Trees Attract Stink Bugs?

Stink Bug Problems

• One of the only pests that is just as obnoxious dead as it is alive, the brown marmorated stink bug lets off an unpleasant odor when squished. The American holly is one tree that has been revealed as a source of food for the pests. Hard to dissuade and hard to kill, the stink bug is a challenging adversary. Prevention is the best method of defense.

Protect Your Holly

• Pesticides may not be effective against stink bugs, and can cause issues with its insect competitors -- leaving you even more open to attack. You may have success protecting your tree by spraying a slurry of kaolin clay on the bark. The only EPA-approved distributor of kaolin clay for this purpose is Surround. Mix approximately 3 cups of Surround with 1 gallon of water and distribute it over your tree using a sprayer. If you eat anything that may have been nearby, wash it first.

Remain Vigilant

• From June to September, check under your holly tree leaves once a week for stink bug eggs. Typically, these are 1 millimeter in diameter and can be found in clumps of 25 eggs. Destroy the eggs immediately. If you see an adult stink bug, do not stomp on it; you'll release a foul smell. Vacuum the offender to dispose of it without being subjected to its funk. If your vacuum smells after killing stink bugs, suck up some coffee grounds to cancel the smell out.

Protect Your Home

• When the temperature changes, stink bugs will leave your holly tree and try to help themselves to your home. Don't let them in -- it's difficult to get rid of them. The best option is to fortify your house by caulking any cracks and sealing your garage. The more impenetrable your residence, the less likely an infestation will occur. If you store any A/C units in your home, wrap them with a plastic bag. These are a preferred hiding space for the smelly rogues. When you discover a stink bug in your house, trap it in a glass and throw it outside or flush it down the toilet.