How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs: 7 Expert-Backed Strategies

Say goodbye to these little pests once and for all.

If you’re wondering how to get rid of stink bugs, take solace—these pesky bugs may smell bad, but they’re not harmful to humans. Stink bugs (called the brown marmorated stink bug, or BMSB for short) are an invasive six-legged insect that produces an unpleasant odor when crushed or disturbed. They have a shield-like shape, three body segments, and a brown-gray coloring with black speckling and white undersides.

Stink bugs are named for their smelly odor, which they emit when they feel threatened or are crushed. Some people notice the smell more than others and say stink bugs smell like sulfur and ammonia or rotten meat. If you’re finding stink bugs in your home, these tips from the experts will help you prevent and eliminate these smelly pests.

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What Attracts Stink Bugs?

Stink bugs are attracted by warmth and light. When the weather cools, they usually creep into homes from late summer to fall. The unwelcome bugs are seeking warm places to shelter for the cooler months. You may also see them in spring as they emerge from a hibernation-like wintering state in your home.

“They enter through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, behind chimneys, and underneath eaves,” says Vincent Luca, owner of On Demand Pest Control. “Stink bugs are attracted by the light produced by windows and can sometimes be found crawling on walls or curtains near sunny windows.”

Stink bugs also are attracted to food sources, including fruit and vegetables, which can draw them to homes with outdoor vegetation. Stink bugs can’t resist the temptation of fruits, vegetables, and plants that produce sap or nectar, Luca says.

Are Stink Bugs Harmful?

Stink bugs are harmful to crops but not to humans or pets. The invasive creatures can be very damaging to crops, causing millions of dollars worth of damage. They feed on fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants, sucking their juice.

Although pesky, stink bugs are more of an annoyance than a danger to people. The majority of stink bugs do not bite, but in rare cases, some may bite if threatened, Luca says. This can cause irritation, but stink bugs are not poisonous to people or pets and do not carry any diseases.

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

Prevention

Luckily, you can prevent stink bugs from coming into your home. Prevention is the first step to keep stink bugs out of your home. “To prevent an infestation of stink bugs and other pests, homeowners should regularly inspect their property for any signs of these insects,” Luca says. When looking for stink bugs, watch for the telltale shield and gray-brown coloring.

Seal All Entryways

Stink bugs flock to cracks in doors and windows, so make sure your doors and windows are properly caulked and weather-stripped. “Repair broken window screens and seal any other openings into your home,” says John M Kauffman, Ph.D., regional technical manager of TruGreen.  “Stink bugs are also attracted to light, so keeping outdoor lighting at a minimum and using curtains or blinds to keep your indoor lighting from shining outside will make your home less attractive to stink bugs.”

Maintain Landscaping

Stink bugs also invade unmaintained vegetation, so mow your lawn regularly and maintain your landscaping. “Additionally, keeping the yard clean by removing debris and vegetation that may attract stink bugs can help reduce the number of these pests around the home,” Luca says.

Spray Garlic

Garlic repels stink bugs and is a natural deterrent. Create your own garlic spray by mixing two cups of water and four teaspoons of garlic powder and spray windowsills and doorways where stink bugs will likely enter.

Use Soapy Water

Stink bugs often drop straight down when they feel threatened, and you can take advantage of this. Cover the bottom of a jar with liquid dish soap, then add warm water to fill the jar halfway.Place the solution beneath the bug, and most likely, it will drop into the water. If the stink bug does not drop into the water, you can flick it into the water, which will drown it. Then flush the stink bug and soapy water down the toilet.

You can also spray a soapy water solution on your window sills, doorways, and crevices where stink bugs may enter. Combine 32 oz (1 liter) of warm water with 3/4 cup (180 ml) of any liquid dish detergent and shake well before spraying. The solution will dehydrate stink bugs who pass through it and eventually kill them.

Sweep or Vacuum

If you have stink bugs in your home, you can sweep or vacuum up the stinky critters. Kauffman says to minimize their foul smell by using a HEPA filter vacuum and emptying the bag outdoors.

Professional Removal

If stink bugs have invaded your home in large numbers, you may need to hire an exterminator. Exterminators use insecticides or trapping devices designed for stink bugs. Talk to your exterminator about environmentally-friendly solutions to minimize the impact on your home and the environment. You can also hire a pest control service for your lawn to help remove the stink bugs and prevent them from getting into your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What scents keep stink bugs away?

Garlic is a deterrence to stink bugs. Many essential oils have also been shown to repel stink bugs. According to a 2013 study published in the Journal of Applied Entomology, pure clove oil, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, and ylang-ylang are some of the best essential oils to ward off stink bugs.

Why are there so many stink bugs in my house?

Stink bugs release pheromones that act as a signal to other stink bugs, signaling they have found a good location, Luca says. If stink bugs signal in your home, they will attract more stink bugs. Also, outdoor food sources such as produce with sap or nectar can be a breeding ground for stink bugs. Poorly sealed doors, windows, pipes, and bright lights also attract stink bugs.

How long is stink bug season?

The most common time for stink bugs to hatch and thrive is from March through September. They lay eggs in the spring and seek shelter as the weather cools off in the fall. They go into a hibernation-like state in winter and will stay in your home for the winter if they can. Then they will emerge in spring and try to return to the outdoors.

Where do stink bugs nest?

Stink bugs lay their eggs outdoors in the spring. They usually lay eggs on the undersides of leaves. They generally do not lay eggs indoors.

Related: 16 Plants That Repel Bugs and Mosquitoes Naturally

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