How to Get Rid of Stinkbugs in the House

When stinkbugs invade your home, you know it. They hide in curtains, drawers, laundry or bedding. They get their name from the smell they release that protects them from being eaten by birds and other animals. Unfortunately, this odor also keeps them coming back to their favorite spots and camping out for a long time. Here's how to take immediate action before the infestation gets out of control.





Instructions



1.Suck it up. Yep, the first thing people think about doing to get rid of these pests is to haul out the vacuum cleaner. It can be used on dead or live bugs. While it will take care of them for the moment (like when you know you will have guests coming over), it only reduces the population temporarily if your home has become a hibernating den for these pests.


2.Start outdoors. Treating the outside of your home with a chemical repellent may be your next defense against these pests. Look for any place where stinkbugs can gain entry, like window frames and near crawl spaces. Spray with cyfluthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, cypermethrin, sumithrin or tralomethrin.


3.Some companies recommend using a "spreader sticker" since the stinkbug's skin is tough and may not be vulnerable to some insecticides. Spray the treatment up high on the outside of your house and let it drip down for thorough coverage. These are best applied in the fall just before the bugs start their invasion. This is also best done during the day when it is warmer and the bugs may be out foraging for food before they come in and find a place to sleep at night.


4.Move indoors. There are some aerosol treatments available for treating the inside of your home. One is called Baygon, which can be applied to window and door frames, floor moldings, around ceiling lights, wall sconces and any other place stinkbugs may be using to gain entry to your home. You may need to treat once a week. Again, this may not be the end-all solution if there are still points of entry for more bugs.


5. Use a dusting treatment. Deltamethrin dust is one suggestion and it may be useful for large areas or hard-to-reach areas such as attics since liquid or aerosol treatments aren't as effective there (they tend to soak into insulation materials and be absorbed). The application will last longer than the above treatments, sometimes up to 12 months. It also works on other insects and in dry or wet environments. Although this insecticide may kill a large amount of bugs, it may increase the amount of carpet beetles that will feed on the dead bugs and then start attacking your woolens, stored dry goods or other products.


6.Contact a licensed pest control operator. Some of them have these materials readily available and can spot entry points better than you can and offer tips on managing the problem for the long-term.

















Tips & Warnings

*Stinkbugs may be attracted to light, so turn off porch and deck lights when it's not necessary to have them on.


*Seal cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys and other openings to the outside with silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Repair damaged screens on doors and windows. Inside, use caulk around cracks near baseboards, around window and door trim, and around exhaust fans or lights fixtures mounted in ceilings to keep the stinkbugs from crawling out.


*Do not handle stinkbugs with bare hands. Some people are allergic to the substance they emit. Also, some species can bite.


*Using pesticides is dangerous. Always follow the directions on the labels. Always store in the original containers and where children, pets, and farm animals cannot reach them. In some instances, it is best to call a licensed pest control operator to do the job for you.