Many, especially on the east coast, welcome fall. It’s a refreshing time of year full of seasonal pleasures and picturesque views. Unfortunately, fall can also bring along some unwanted guests. Namely, the stink bug.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of stink bugs in your home, our pest control experts at CroppMetcalfe have dealt with these stinky intruders in the past, and we have all the information you need to avoid or end your stink bug invasion. We’ll answer the question, “How do you get rid of stink bugs?” and let you in on some home remedies to get rid of stink bugs. We’ll also help you learn how to keep these nasty buggers away in the future. 

What Are Stink Bugs?

You can’t really know how to get rid of stink bugs in your home if you don’t know what stink bugs are in the first place. If you haven’t personally encountered these pests, then you’ve probably at least heard about them. They tend to show up in droves in homes all across Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, especially in the fall.

Stink bugs are an invasive species that appeared in the United States from Asia in the mid-1990s. According to North Dakota State University, there are 4,700 species of stink bugs in the world, with about 250 in the U.S. and Canada. Stink bugs are usually three-fourths of an inch long, five-sided, and have striping along their antennae and abdomen.

The stink bug you’re probably familiar with is the brown marmorated stink bug. This ugly critter gets the first part of its name from the brown marbling pattern on its back. It gets the second part because it releases a foul odor when it feels threatened by predators. Even dead stink bugs can stink up your home.  

How Do You Know if You Have Stink Bugs?  

If you’re looking for home remedies to get rid of stink bugs, then you may already be aware of an infestation, but the truth is that a lot of homeowners don’t know for sure how to tell if they have a stink bug problem or not. How do you get rid of stink bugs if you don’t know where the problem is?

To stay alive during the winter months, stink bugs like to enter homes in the late summer or early fall. They do this by creeping through cracks and holes in your home. Stink bugs tend to remain hidden throughout the winter and then become active again in the spring, which is a big reason that homeowners might miss them.

As stink bugs try to leave your home to get back outside in the warmer months, they’ll start to make their way into your main living space. That’s why you may find stink bugs in a cluster on the walls or windows. If you see one stink bug, it’s likely that more have found their way into your home for the winter.

If you’re not sure if you’re dealing with stink bugs, give your local pest control company a call. Stink bugs aren’t dangerous, but they do stink.

How to Keep Stink Bugs Out of Your Home 

The best home remedies to get rid of stink bugs involve keeping them from getting inside. Prevention is the best pest control. Here are some tips for preventing stink bugs from getting into your home:

• Seal home cracks and openings: before stink bug season is upon you, spend some time inspecting the outside of your home for easy access points (chimneys, utility pipes, other openings).
• Ventilate spaces: eliminate harborage points by adequately ventilating basements, crawl spaces, attics, and garages. Also consider using a dehumidifier in these areas and installing screens to keep critters out.
• Repair missing or torn screens: these pests can get through even the smallest openings, so it’s a smart idea to repair or replace your weather-torn screens on windows and doors. 
• Fix door and window cracks: use good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Also seal gaps under exterior doors with weather stripping. If you’re not sure how to do this, the experts at a trusted pest control company can lend you a hand.

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Your Home

Luckily, stink bugs do not truly infest homes. They do not feed, mate, or lay eggs indoors. They’re fairly harmless, but they are nasty and smelly. If they’ve made their way inside your home, you’ll find that they’re incredibly hard to control. That’s because they tend to stay tucked away in those little, inaccessible areas until they’re ready to come out.

The easiest way to remove them from your living space is by using a vacuum cleaner to suck them up, although you may want to think twice before doing so. You may discover that the smell lingers in the vacuum long after the bug is dead, so don’t forget to empty your vacuum bag right away.

If you do find yourself with a stink bug infestation, it’s best to call your local pest control company to develop and implement a plan that’s right for your home.

Stink Bugs Don’t Make Good Pets

Nobody wants to live with stink bugs! If you suspect the brown marmorated stink bug has infested your home, get the most effective pest control from the five-star technicians at CroppMetcalfe. Call 1-877-740-6657 or schedule service online now.