Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Your Home This Winter
Stink bugs enter a hibernation state called diapause while they search for warm, safe spots to overwinter. Unfortunately, your cozy home might be exactly what they’re looking for. Let’s talk about why stink bugs are so common in winter and, more importantly, how to get rid of them for good.
Why Stink Bugs Invade Your Home in Winter
Stink bug season typically peaks in late summer and early fall, when these pests are most active. As temperatures drop, stink bugs start looking for shelter to survive the cold months. That’s when they make their way into homes, garages, and other warm spaces.
They’re not interested in your food or furniture; they simply want a safe place to stay during winter. Cracks around windows, doors, and vents provide easy entry points, making your home an ideal overwintering spot. Once inside, they’ll settle into attics, basements, or wall voids to ride out the season.
How Stink Bugs Get Inside Your House
Stink bugs are expert invaders, slipping through even the tiniest openings to find shelter. They commonly enter through cracks around windows and doors, gaps in siding, damaged screens, and even through attic vents or chimneys.
During the fall, they’re especially active in seeking out warm spots, which is why it’s so important to seal up your home. If you’re spotting a few stink bugs inside, there’s a good chance more are hiding in your attic, walls, or other tight spaces. Blocking their way in is the best way to keep them out.
Why You Need to Keep Stink Bugs Out of Your House (Even If There Are Only a Few)
Even a small number of stink bugs in your home can quickly turn into a bigger problem. When stink bugs settle in for the winter, they release pheromones that signal other stink bugs to join them. This chemical signal can attract an entire colony, turning a minor issue into a full-blown infestation.
While stink bugs don’t bite or damage property, their presence can still be a nuisance. If you crush or disturb them, stink bugs release a pungent, musty smell that’s often compared to rotting cilantro or dirty socks. The stench can linger in your home, sticking to your hands, furniture, or wherever they were squished. It’s one more reason to act fast before these pests make themselves too comfortable.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Home
Getting rid of stink bugs requires a combination of quick action and preventive measures. Here’s what you can do:
Step 1: Vacuum them up.
Use a vacuum cleaner to capture stink bugs, but be prepared—their smell might linger in the vacuum. To avoid this, use a vacuum with a disposable bag and throw it out immediately after use.
Step 2: Use soapy water.
Fill a bucket with water and dish soap, then gently knock stink bugs into the solution. The soap breaks the surface tension, drowning the bugs quickly without releasing their odor.
Step 3: Seal entry points.
Inspect your home for cracks, gaps, or damaged screens where stink bugs could sneak in. Seal these openings with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent more from entering.
Step 4: Turn off outdoor lights.
Stink bugs are attracted to light. Minimizing outdoor lighting or using yellow “bug lights” can reduce the number of bugs gathering near your home.
Step 5: Use DIY or store-bought traps.
Sticky traps or light traps can help catch stink bugs that are already inside. Place them in areas where the bugs are most active, like windows or attics.
Step 6: Call a professional exterminator.
If you’re dealing with a large infestation, it might be time to bring in stink bug control experts. They know how to get rid of stink bugs permanently and do it safely.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Garden
Getting rid of stink bugs in your garden before winter is a smart way to prevent a potential infestation in your home. As temperatures drop, stink bugs start moving from gardens to nearby houses in search of warmth. Tackling them early in your yard can stop them from ever making it inside.
Here’s how to deal with them effectively:
Step 1: Pick them off by hand.
Wear gloves and remove stink bugs directly from your plants in the early morning when they’re slow and easy to catch. Drop them into a bucket of soapy water to kill them without releasing their odor.
Step 2: Cover your plants.
Lightweight row covers can block stink bugs from getting to your crops. It’s an easy and effective way to protect your garden.
Step 3: Use decoy plants.
Plant something stink bugs love, like sunflowers or amaranth, at the edge of your garden. Once they gather there, you can remove them all in one go.
Step 4: Bring in the good bugs.
Predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps eat stink bugs and their eggs. You can buy these beneficial insects online or encourage them by planting flowers they love.
Step 5: Spray with natural solutions.
Neem oil or insecticidal soap works well to repel stink bugs. Spray it directly on the bugs or the plants they’re hanging out on.
Step 6: Clean up your garden.
Stink bugs hide in weeds, leaves, and other debris. Keeping your garden tidy removes their favorite hiding spots.
Step 7: Destroy their eggs.
Stink bug eggs are small, oval, and usually light green, yellow, or white. You’ll find them clustered on the underside of leaves. Scrape them off gently with a tool or your gloved hand and drop them into soapy water to stop the next generation before it starts.
Got Stink Bug Problems? Call Sunrise Pest & Turf Management.
Keep stink bugs out of your home and get your lawn ready for the colder months with Sunrise Pest & Turf Management. Our expert services ensure your home stays pest-free and your lawn thrives, so everything is ready to go when spring arrives.
Grab our Special Offers this month:
- 10% OFF Rodent Control Services. Stop pests from making your home their winter retreat.
- FREE Lawn Treatment when you bundle our Fall Maintenance and Aeration Program. Give your lawn the care it needs to stay healthy through winter and come back lush and green in spring.
- FREE Insect Control with any Annual Program. Protect your home and yard from pests year-round.
Don’t wait for pests or winter weather to take over. Contact us today to GET YOUR FREE QUOTE! We serve homes in Bremerton, Port Angeles, Bellevue, Aberdeen, Seattle, WA and surrounding areas.
