How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs
Summary: Stink bugs are nuisances that will invade homes because they are attracted to light. Be careful when trying to get rid of them because they will release an odor for self-defense.
Have small, shield-shaped bugs flown into your house and emitted a gross odor? These insects are called stink bugs because they possess a gland that releases an odor as a means of self-defense. There's nothing like a good dose of “stink” to protect yourself from being eaten by a bird or lizard.
Stink bugs live in meadows, fields, yards, or gardens and especially those with low shrubs. They are most active from spring through fall, but they usually become house invaders at the beginning of fall when temperatures start to drop. They sometimes hibernate on the outside of some south-facing buildings for warmth, but usually over winter in protected areas under dead weeds, stones or in the bark of trees.
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The stink bug's eggs are yellow, yellow-red, white, or pale green in color and can be found on the underside of leaves in clumps of 20 to 30 eggs. Eggs are only found outdoors on plants because stink bugs cannot reproduce indoors. Thank goodness for small favors. Plants are the primary source of food for stink bugs. They typically feed on fruit plants and nuts. They particularly enjoy honeydew, tomatoes, beans, corn, squash, peppers, cabbage, and any type of fruit, using their beaks to pierce and suck plant juice. This activity can cause major damage to gardens. If you discover stink bugs on your plants you can scoop them up using a pill bottle or other small container. This is time consuming, but the containers help you avoid the smell they emit.
Exclusion is the key to avoiding stink bug invasions. Sealing your house by closing doors and windows will help keep them out of your home. If there are cracks in your siding, windows, doors, utility pipes, behind chimneys, or other openings, good quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk will help stop their entry. Replace ripped window and door screens and install screens on attic vents. Inspect entries to crawl spaces to make sure they are properly sealed.
Here's the part I know you will hate hearing. You just spent a ton of money installing outdoor lighting to make your home look warm and inviting. Or, you added lighting as a security measure. Well, stink bugs are attracted to light. So, now your house is a beacon that shouts “Come to me all ye stink bugs looking for a home.” Stink bugs are drawn to lights coming from your windows, too. I can't ask you to shutter your windows at night, but closing the shades will help.
 Stink bug eggs |
So, what's a body to do? There are pesticides that will kill stink bugs that have amassed on walls and ceilings. Readily available aerosol-type pyrethrum foggers will knock them down, but the treatment will not prevent more stink bugs from emerging shortly afterwards. The bombs are advertised to show clouds of pesticides magically spreading throughout the room, getting into every nook and cranny, chasing bugs out of hiding. The reality is the fog rises into the air, then settles back down. You would do a lot better simply doing a thorough inspection and using a vacuum to collect the bugs.
Exterior insecticide treatments applied in the fall containing synthetic pyrethroids like deltamethrin, cyfluthrin or lambda-cyhalothrin may provide some relief. If you are uncomfortable applying pesticides or lack the proper equipment you might consider having a licensed pest control operator apply the materials. It's good to know that insecticides break down in sunlight, so the residual effect of the treatment will be short and may not have an effect on the bugs much more than several days or a week. You might try planting some plants that repel stink bugs like marigolds, mint, garlic, radishes and catnip.
Traps baited with the known chemical lure (methy 2,4,6-decatrienoate) are useful for monitoring the spread of the stink bug, but it remains to be seen if a strategy of trap and kill can be devised to protect homes from being inundated in the fall. One problem in experimenting with this type of approach is that the compound is not commercially available, so not enough of the compound is available to do large scale experiments. Researchers have their doubts that in areas where there are large numbers of bugs such as near soybean fields at the end of the growing season, that enough bugs can be caught to significantly decrease the number of bugs seeking shelter in buildings.
If your home becomes infested with stink bugs, be wary before sucking them into the vacuum cleaner. Squashing them or vacuuming them will usually make the smell worse. Wear gloves if you need to handle stink bugs because their unique beaks are fully capable of biting humans. Although their bites are not harmful, you will feel something similar to a sharp pinprick if you are bitten. Not fun!
There are people studying the problem. Several universities are working on solutions which you can read about in another article by clicking here.
Okay! You are armed with just enough information to do battle. Go out and fight a good fight!
Click here for more articles on stink bugs.
Comments
Penny
05 Jan 2010, 21:03
05 Jan 2010, 21:03
We have been infested with lady bugs and stink bugs for years. We are in
Western MD. We capture them with empty water bottles. Just slide them in
and put the cap on, no stink! They will eventually die. My husband has
filled up multiple bottles. We just throw the bottles in the trash. It
doesn't keep more of them from coming in, but it is a relatively easy way
to get them out without stinking up the house.
Joe
06 Jan 2010, 17:11
06 Jan 2010, 17:11
I was ready to do battle with stink bugs in the spring, but they invaded my
house when the temp dropped to the teens.
Last night, while I was asleep, one landed on my lip. Not knowing what it was I swatted it. UGH! You think sting bugs smell bad???
After scrubbing and brushing with everything I could think of and taking a steaming hot shower to get the stench out of my pores, the stench is finally becoming bearable.
Now I really mad. This is war!
Last night, while I was asleep, one landed on my lip. Not knowing what it was I swatted it. UGH! You think sting bugs smell bad???
After scrubbing and brushing with everything I could think of and taking a steaming hot shower to get the stench out of my pores, the stench is finally becoming bearable.
Now I really mad. This is war!
Marie in Northern Virginia
07 Jan 2010, 23:46
07 Jan 2010, 23:46
We have dozens of these stinky bugs (two varieties) which we find every day
up and downstairs. They are driving us crazy. Can anyone tell me if they
dissipate at some point during the winter (like ladybugs)? They seem to be
going strong even though it's 25 degrees outside. What's their lifespan?
Ugh!!
keisha
08 Jan 2010, 18:33
08 Jan 2010, 18:33
I have stink bugs in my bedroom in my apartment. I have bought silicone
caulk to caulk my windows ,but im unsure where there are cracks. i then
bought weather stripping for my windows which seemed to have worked for a
few days ,but now I am seeing them again. Can anyone give me some good
advice on how to get rid of the?
Brooke NorthEast PA
08 Jan 2010, 18:44
08 Jan 2010, 18:44
Theresa,
I'm with ya babe. I found two or three of these gross little stinkers when I was changing the sheets on my bed. They were up in the pillows. Ewwww...how gross. I can't escape the feeling now that I'm going to wake up with them crawling in my hair or something. You're not the only one with the bed problem though. I have resorted to checking all of my pillows every night before I go to bed and pulling down the blankets to check there too. Its a nightmer.
I'm with ya babe. I found two or three of these gross little stinkers when I was changing the sheets on my bed. They were up in the pillows. Ewwww...how gross. I can't escape the feeling now that I'm going to wake up with them crawling in my hair or something. You're not the only one with the bed problem though. I have resorted to checking all of my pillows every night before I go to bed and pulling down the blankets to check there too. Its a nightmer.
Kim, Northeast NJ
09 Jan 2010, 00:14
09 Jan 2010, 00:14
Ok, I am thoroughly grossed out by all of these posts and feel like my skin
is crawling. I helped my mother change her curtains the other day in her
bedroom. We took down the valances only to find about 25 stink bugs in
EACH!! I was just about screaming after plucking them all off with toilet
paper and flushing them down the toilet. Soooooooooo damn gross!!! We
keep finding them everywhere too. Today, my mother ended up with one in
her hand by using the liquid soap dispenser in her bathroom. Tomorrow I
need to take down my daughters' curtains to battle the bugs. I know they
stink to high heaven, but I'm using the shop vac! I am not touching them
ever again after reading that they can actually bite. I would die. Oh, I
just hate them..........
craig,york pa
09 Jan 2010, 12:44
09 Jan 2010, 12:44
we are having a lot of problems too.These guys drown very easily take a cup
with a drop or two of liquid soap in it.Put the cup near the bug and most
jump right in if there on the wall or ceiling.They die in seconds then just
toss the water out or flush.Finding about 5 to 10 a day here now..
kelly in cleveland
09 Jan 2010, 13:58
09 Jan 2010, 13:58
Its the middle of winter here on the Great Lake Erie. Its negative degrees
outside and I have lots of stink bugs. They seem to never go away. You
know its bad when the dog spits them out.
tired of the buggers!
09 Jan 2010, 15:00
09 Jan 2010, 15:00
We have been having an issue with stink bugs getting into the house for a
few years now. We have replaced all of our dorrs and wondows and all are
well sealed. Our exterminator has told us to pick them up in some tissue
and flush them. We have never smelled an odor from them when we do this.
However, I have been smelling a strange smell in our home lately. At first
someone suggested it might be a gas leak or sewer gas odor coming from a
dried up drain trap. We have had the gas company and plumber here to no
avail. I am beginning to wonder if it could be from the stink bugs. I
know everyone says they smell awful, but can someone describe the odor? I
am at my wits end with this smell and can't figure out what it could be!
Has anyone else had a problem with an odor lingering in the house? Thanks!
thomas van winkle
09 Jan 2010, 16:30
09 Jan 2010, 16:30
We have an infestation of stink bugs in our house, everywhere we look, in
the skylites, surrounding the lights, annd we have also a odor in our house
which I am thinking is from the stink bugs. Sounds like there is nothing to
get rid of them except sealinng up your home, which is practically
imposible to do. I wonder how they stay alive, we do not have any inside
plants for them to feed on. It is a horrible feeling and seems like there
should be somme way to get rid of this situation.
kevin
12 Jan 2010, 17:14
12 Jan 2010, 17:14
yes, ANSWERS to the following by the experienced/experts would be most
useful:
1) what are the best ways to kill them once they move in?
2) do they all winter-over; is this because of the warm indoors?
3) how do they feed during the winter months indoors
4) once they come do they repeat annually?
they arrived for the first time here in Clarke Cty VA/Shenandoah Valley this past fall. it's now January and they remain in the house. they seem to like the TV at night and other light. could this be a way to trap them?
i will be inquiring with my exterminator. who comes monthly but somehow i don't think they will have the know-how, given the bugs relative newness to my area.
bother.
1) what are the best ways to kill them once they move in?
2) do they all winter-over; is this because of the warm indoors?
3) how do they feed during the winter months indoors
4) once they come do they repeat annually?
they arrived for the first time here in Clarke Cty VA/Shenandoah Valley this past fall. it's now January and they remain in the house. they seem to like the TV at night and other light. could this be a way to trap them?
i will be inquiring with my exterminator. who comes monthly but somehow i don't think they will have the know-how, given the bugs relative newness to my area.
bother.
etc
13 Jan 2010, 20:47
13 Jan 2010, 20:47
Never saw them in Virginia but in Maryland have a bad infestation.
The fireplace is really hot in the middle of the winter and they have all awakened, thinking its summer and I find them everywhere, even dropping from the ceiling on my head. Disgusting to say the least. No matter how many I remove, it's an endless stream of them.
I cannot think of what to seal in the house.
The fireplace is really hot in the middle of the winter and they have all awakened, thinking its summer and I find them everywhere, even dropping from the ceiling on my head. Disgusting to say the least. No matter how many I remove, it's an endless stream of them.
I cannot think of what to seal in the house.
Rebecca from Virginia
14 Jan 2010, 11:43
14 Jan 2010, 11:43
We vacuum these suckers up every day. Seems they compete with the lady
bugs for entrance. Last night I fed three of them to my turtle and she
loved them! Hmmm...maybe this is one solution - everyone get a turtle!
Nothing else seems to work and we are a newly constructed home that seems
pretty tight (obviously not tight enough).
keisha
14 Jan 2010, 14:58
14 Jan 2010, 14:58
The best thing to do about the odor is to light up incense. That rids the
smell. A co - worker of mine has problems with stink bugs too. She told me
to purchase the spray to kill lice because it has 50% of the ingredient
pytherin(oops might have spelled it wrong) that is used in insecticides to
kill them. I bought the spray. It does work, but it takes a few minutes to
take effect. You can buy the stuff from a drug store.
Tim in Northern VA
15 Jan 2010, 14:10
15 Jan 2010, 14:10
I have them living in my attic each winter and they come down thru the air
ducts. There are probably holes in the duct taping in the attic that
allows them to enter. They are a huge nuisance. If they are attracted to
light, what about the traditional bug zapper products for attracting and
killing them? I'd even try to hang one in my attic if it would work.
Thoughts?
Linda - Delaware
15 Jan 2010, 19:19
15 Jan 2010, 19:19
Have had these yucky bugs for two years. Working at kitchen table at
night, they dive bomb, land on the chandelier, table, TV and me. Find lots
of dead ones on floor, windowsills, beside sliding doors. Have killed
with:
* Wasp Spray- Only outside!!
* Lysol spray to knock off where they cannot be reached, give a good spray to immobilize after they fall. Kills with no stinky.
* Hand sanitizer. It's goopy and hard for them to crawl out. Alochol and suffocation kills.
* Crazy glue or similar--a drop or two immobilizes, but be careful to keep it on bug.
* Tape-Found one on carpet which was hard to pick up with tissue, so taped him down with a couple pieces. Dead shortly thereafter and easy to pick up.
Did not see one for a couple of weeks after Christmas but now they are back. Kill about 6/day.
This fall, asked my Terminix guy if his spray in trees and bushes would work. He told me not to waste money because dead would be quickly replaced by others. Went to big mansion close by. Called manager to come see-thousands covered three stories all the way around outside. Sprayed to kill, but could not guarantee new bugs.
2008 was first time I had seen one for many, many years. If odor keeps prey at bay-why are they here?
* Wasp Spray- Only outside!!
* Lysol spray to knock off where they cannot be reached, give a good spray to immobilize after they fall. Kills with no stinky.
* Hand sanitizer. It's goopy and hard for them to crawl out. Alochol and suffocation kills.
* Crazy glue or similar--a drop or two immobilizes, but be careful to keep it on bug.
* Tape-Found one on carpet which was hard to pick up with tissue, so taped him down with a couple pieces. Dead shortly thereafter and easy to pick up.
Did not see one for a couple of weeks after Christmas but now they are back. Kill about 6/day.
This fall, asked my Terminix guy if his spray in trees and bushes would work. He told me not to waste money because dead would be quickly replaced by others. Went to big mansion close by. Called manager to come see-thousands covered three stories all the way around outside. Sprayed to kill, but could not guarantee new bugs.
2008 was first time I had seen one for many, many years. If odor keeps prey at bay-why are they here?
Judy
16 Jan 2010, 22:10
16 Jan 2010, 22:10
Oh my... I have been surrounded by aggressive stink bugs. We dispose of at
least 20 a day walking around stinking up the place. But it gets worse, I
seriously am attacked daily by stink bugs. They seem to be attracted to
me. Just yesterday I had two on my ceiling, looking like they were about
to mate that suddenly took a nose dive right down on my head then down my
back. Just five mins ago, one came hauling at me and slammed into my face.
They dont bother anyone else, they just come to me. I have changed my
perfumes, shower gels, everything i could with the exception of my dark
hair, but they keep going strong. For crying out loud we just had an Artic
blast and they are still going strong. These are worse then the sprickets
(also known as camel crickets) when I lived in baltimore, that there is
another agressive bug. Maybe they feel my fear? Hum... Anyway, just
needed to vent... Thanks for hearing me out. Judy
Gladys
16 Jan 2010, 23:09
16 Jan 2010, 23:09
Our house is pre-civil war stone house with ALOT of places for the stinck
bugs to hide. We also heat with wood, so they are very active all winter
long. Every night before I go to bed I collect them off the walls,bed and
anywhere I see them. When sitting at the kitchen table, they "dive bomb"
and land on your head and arms. I have vaccuumed many of them up, but we
have a severe infestation of them. It is never ending. When sleeping at
night I have found that having a fan on beside me anlged toward the seiling
helps keep them off me. But it is not unusual to have crawl on me at
night. I HATE them. I loose alot of sleep because of them.
One theing that works for me is I take empty water bottles or soda bottles and put about 2 inches of water in it. If they are on the ceiling I just put the bottle over them and they fall in, if on the wall, I slide the bottle opening under them and they fall in. If on a flat serface, I use the lid to scoot them into the bottle. Once I gather the ones I see, I close the lid and they drown. I find I can use the same bottle a couple of days before they stench gets too bad, then I throw that bottle away and start over with a new on. I have killed thousands of them this way. I hope this might help someone. I also hope someone can find a better way to kill them. Living in such an old house it is alomost impossible to caulk all of the holes!
One theing that works for me is I take empty water bottles or soda bottles and put about 2 inches of water in it. If they are on the ceiling I just put the bottle over them and they fall in, if on the wall, I slide the bottle opening under them and they fall in. If on a flat serface, I use the lid to scoot them into the bottle. Once I gather the ones I see, I close the lid and they drown. I find I can use the same bottle a couple of days before they stench gets too bad, then I throw that bottle away and start over with a new on. I have killed thousands of them this way. I hope this might help someone. I also hope someone can find a better way to kill them. Living in such an old house it is alomost impossible to caulk all of the holes!
Phil of MD
17 Jan 2010, 15:00
17 Jan 2010, 15:00
I cannot take this. A Huge cluster of bugs, I tried to sweep out of the
attic hatchet, & ALL OF THEM STARTED STINKING!!!! I thought I was dead...
PLEASE HELP!!!
Susan
21 Jan 2010, 12:45
21 Jan 2010, 12:45
I live in NJ and this is the first time I have ever seen them. My father
replaced all the windows with thermopane ones about 3 years ago. My
daughter and I recently moved back with him and this summer we put an air
conditioner in her window and end of August we tore down trees, shrubs and
vines from the back yard and noticed them in her room..now its Jan and we
are still seeing them mostly around her lap top and bed and they land on
her in the middle of the night maybe 3 or 4 a day...but still gross and
anoying! but they are limited to her room only(for now) and i'm sorry but
they do not flush, unless they are dead if you flush them alive and they go
down..few days later they are there again. how do i find were they are
hidding?? thaks
Jeanette
22 Jan 2010, 07:46
22 Jan 2010, 07:46
I just woke up to a stink bug crawling on my lip up into my mouth. Of
course I didnt know and swatted then finally woke up screaming after I
realized what the heck it was. GROSSSS! I'm not one to be really grossed
out by bugs or even hate them...but I hate these stinkers! I find them in
my clothes, in the curtains. The dogs chase them when they buzz around. I
didn't know they bite but now I swear that I have been bit by one. Ughhh I
wish there was a simple solution. Oh yeah....I moved back up to PA a year
ago and it is the first time I ever seen them.
Rita Ribs
23 Jan 2010, 10:54
23 Jan 2010, 10:54
These bugs started coming in last Fall. Found them in my laundry room off
the deck. At first I would just open the french doors and flick them off
whatever clean clothing they had attached themselves to. But after a
while, I now had them showing up in my master bathroom. Both are facing
southwest. I keep the laundry room cooler than my bathroom, and I have
noticed they only OCCASIONALLY show up in the laundry room and my master
bath has about 20 a day showing up, especially when the heat is on. They
are DISGUSTING, and occasionally make it into my bedroom where I lay awake
until I can find them all. They seem to like dark things and I have found
them in bunches on my dark rattan baskets, dark clothing and crawling up
the walls. I now scoot them into a dust pan with a small dust whisk and
then drop them into the toilet. I used to toss them into the trash can,
until I saw them crawling back out. DIRTY BUGGERS! Everything I have been
reading says they are just going to keep getting worse. My house is a 1930
triple brick bungalow with a large unheated basement and lots of cracks and
crevices that I will NEVER be able to fill up. But as I have been
renovating, I am taking extra care to seal up any and all holes, cracks and
areas of penetration. Its helped in the laundry room it seems, but the
bathroom has made up for that. I hate them, I HATE THEM! The other day,
one had crawled into a sleeve of a jacket I had and it was the FIRST one
that I ever had that STUNK. Ewwwwwwwwwwww......I removed it, knowing that
I had gotten one, but it took five minutes to shake it off the jacket. It
was dead and I guess I had squished it when I got in the van and sat back
on it. Ewwwwww.....GROSS! I am trying to find the pesticides that a few
people and sites have suggested so I can get rid of these buggers and let
them know ME CASA IS NOT THEIR CASA! They like coming into my room from
the bathroom and getting in my light fixtures, have even found a few on my
bed. YUK! THEY HAVE to GO! I heard they hitched a ride from Asia on a
crate (mine are the brown/gray ones!). For crying out loud, none of my
neighbors know what I am talking about. Am I the only one hanging out a
welcome stink bugs sign? My house is not dirty! HELP!
Haze
25 Jan 2010, 16:48
25 Jan 2010, 16:48
I dont know about the rest of you...but reading all your frustrating tales
of your stink bug battles really makes me feel my family is not alone!! I
have many stories as bad if not worse but after a while we can get pretty
grossed out reading these....easiest stories I can contribute...they
actually like to hide in dvd covers....was alphabetizing our movies and
checking which had never been replaced in their covers and found many all
lined up for movie popcorn!! Was eating a piece of raisin bread and
suddenly realized my tongue had touched something quite acidic...yup, a
stink bug was sitting on the bread ...glad I sensed it before it was too
late! Cant use any pesticides since we have several pets,.,but we are
experimenting with specific link rollers to remove them from objects...and
buying several fly sticky traps to hang from the windows in hopes that they
will adhere....all in all, wish someone could find a predator to eat the
little boogers!
Rey
26 Jan 2010, 01:59
26 Jan 2010, 01:59
It is now 1:50 am. I woke up half an hour ago with one of them in my
mouth. I was wearing a 'night guard' to keep from grinding my teeth while
I sleep and I apparently bit down on it. What woke me up was a burning
sensation and the the 'night guard' smells of the odor let off when the
bugs are crushed. I have rinsed my mouth out with mouth wash but there is
still a lingering taste and burning sensation. I wonder how long this is
going to last.
Luann
26 Jan 2010, 03:30
26 Jan 2010, 03:30
I have written in several times over the last few months offering some
comments and advice about how we handle the rotten Stink Bugs here in North
Western NJ. Wellllll, here it is 3:00am and I am totally stressed out and
upset about what happened to me earler. I was in bed sleeping,
unexpectedly woke up thinking that I smelled a stinker. I sat up and put
on the lamp at the side of my bed. OMG!!! There was a half dead stinker
on my pillow where my head had been. YIKES!!! I grabbed it with a tissue
and ran into the bathroom to flush it. While I was in the bathroom, I got
into the shower with lots of warm soapy water to scrub my face, hair and
scalp. I was a wreck. How could I be sleeping on a stink bug on my pillow.
When I picked it up it looked somewhat smooshed and had a mild odor. I
almost got sick to my stomach. Even though I took a thorough shower, I
still felt like they were crawling through my hair and down my neck. I got
dressed and stumbled to my office down the hall and had to write to all of
you. Please check your bedding, especially your pillows and the inside
cases - I have found them there too (last fall). I also just realized that
I have recessed lighting in a cathedral ceiling. My guess is that they are
in the attic and are coming out the lighting fixtures which are over my
bed. I'd move my bed to the other side of the room but that's where the
south-facing windows are (where many stinkers got into my house). I will
call someone tomorrow to come and cover up or remove these fixtures so that
these little beasts can't come flying out whenever they damn well please.
I am really afraid to go back to that room and sleep. I think the couch
will do just fine until those fixtures are covered. It's one thing when
it's the family room, living room or even the kitchen but definitely NOT
THE BEDROOMS! I want to be awake when they make an entrance. Well, it's
almost 3:30am and I should try to get some sleep(on the family room couch
of course!). Thank you for letting me vent after my somewhat shocking
wake-up surprise. I wish you all sweet, non-stinker dreams.
Luann
Luann
Heather from Chester County, PA
27 Jan 2010, 10:17
27 Jan 2010, 10:17
I feel like crying out of RELIEF knowing that I am not the only one out
there losing my mind over stink bugs AND over all of the scary stink bug
stories on this site. We are having the worst stink bug infestation I've
EVER seen. We live in Chester County, PA, and this fall our house became
INFESTED with stink bugs. I came home one October afternoon and the entire
side of my house was COVERED with stink bugs. I even posted pictures of it
on my facebook it was that insanely disgusting. We prayed that they'd die
off over the winter, but to no avail - I find a minimum of five in my house
every single day. They have been most plentiful in my infant daughter's
room and my step daughter's room as well. I've found them in bedding (the
bumper around my daughter's crib; the dust ruffle on her crib; the sheets),
loaded inside the curtains, inside dresser drawers (inside the clothes),
inside of shoes, in closets, on the couch, on the walls - I
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE THEM. My life is a living hell every day because I
feel like I have to check EVERYTHING before I put it on, sit on it, lay in
it, sleep in it - I've even found them in my shower. The only place I've
found safety is in my finished basement - they haven't seemed to make it
down there (yet). I can't even deal with them. There was one on my bathroom
floor this morning! There was one on my bathroom spigot yesterday morning
that I didn't even see when I was going to rinse my mouth! Yuck! I hate
stink bugs! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them!
Heather from Chester County, PA
27 Jan 2010, 10:45
27 Jan 2010, 10:45
P.S. I catch them in tissues and flush them down the toilet, too.
Definitely DO NOT vaccuum them up in your house vaccuum because it will
forever smell like musky stink bug. My husband actually picks them up with
his bare fingers (ewwwwwww!!!). My dogs have eaten them and they puke them
up whole (along with any undigested food that's in their gut). My chickens
love to eat them but then (of course) I'm afraid to eat their eggs because
I'm like, "Are the eggs going to stink? Or, are they going to have a weird
taste?" So, I stopped feeding them to my chickens. One night I woke up with
the "bzzzzzzz" sound in my ear (the sound of their wings) and I swatted at
my ear and hair and jumped out of bed and, sure enough, THERE WAS A STINK
BUG ON MY BED!
Heather from Chester County, PA
27 Jan 2010, 10:51
27 Jan 2010, 10:51
And, p.s. Judy - I read your post about the stink bugs not bothering anyone
but you - SAME HERE! My husband calls them my "spirit bug." LOL.
kathleen
28 Jan 2010, 08:22
28 Jan 2010, 08:22
They are so ugly and nasty, I read the posts and thought it was only
happening to me. Thank God others understand. I need these bugs gone before
they drive me nuts.
Codey
28 Jan 2010, 15:35
28 Jan 2010, 15:35
You can report sightings of stink bugs to Rutgers University:
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/report.asp
You can also e-mail them questions. I had a couple and they got back to me pretty quickly.
https://njaes.rutgers.edu/stinkbug/report.asp
You can also e-mail them questions. I had a couple and they got back to me pretty quickly.
Bayley
01 Feb 2010, 10:22
01 Feb 2010, 10:22
We've been getting a few of these a day, fortunately we find a lot of them
dead. Not as bad as the infestations some others are describing, but it's
definitely worse than last winter and we're seeing more every day. We were
planning to get new windows, but now are considering spending that money on
vinyl siding instead, so they're not as inclined to live on/in the siding.
Last night was the last straw. My husband swallowed one of these bugs in his sleep. He knows because it made him so sick to his stomach that he vomited it back up. Luckily he's not grossed out by bugs - I would have been too traumatized to come to work today!
We have *got* to get these things under control before they just fully take over our house. I thought the ladybugs were bad but the stink bugs are getting ridiculous.
Last night was the last straw. My husband swallowed one of these bugs in his sleep. He knows because it made him so sick to his stomach that he vomited it back up. Luckily he's not grossed out by bugs - I would have been too traumatized to come to work today!
We have *got* to get these things under control before they just fully take over our house. I thought the ladybugs were bad but the stink bugs are getting ridiculous.
Robert
02 Feb 2010, 09:47
02 Feb 2010, 09:47
Live in Hamilton nj.great apartment. First timer when a swarm was seen at
gable end of roof. Have them in our apt.can't I get something To throw in
the attic,then what do i do about the drop ceiling.Treat as a seperate
void?
francis k zettlemoyer
02 Feb 2010, 17:49
02 Feb 2010, 17:49
The only way to combat these bugs is by direct physical action. Did you
notice that they look somewhat like a stealth bomber? Oh well. Take about 4
sheets of toilet tissue fold them into a pad,then sneak up on them and grab
them within the pad. DON"T SQUEEZE!! Just fold the bug gently into the pad
and flush it down the toilet. It's the only way to deal with these pests.
Let the Tidy-Bowl man exterminate them!!
karen
03 Feb 2010, 10:40
03 Feb 2010, 10:40
I'm in York, PA and my 50's brick house is invested. I have lots of windows
that are relatively uncurtained so I'm not surprised to read that that is
attractive to them. I just want to say one thing. Flushing one stink bug
down a toilet using 1.6 + gallons of water is very environmentally
irresponcible. Far better to keep a small jar of something like lamp oil or
kerosene and just keep adding them to it till you can't stand to look at it
and then find a responcible dispossal method. That's what I do with
Japonese beetles.
Linda
03 Feb 2010, 12:30
03 Feb 2010, 12:30
I am so relieved to know that others are having a problem with those
annoying bugs. I was beginning to feel like I must be the worst
housekeeper in the world. I recently visited relatives in Delaware, and
found two in my bedroom. I was horrified, thought they must have been
hidden in my suitcase, but I feel better now, knowing that probably wasn't
so,that the pests are in that state too. How is it possible that we can
put a man on the moon, but can't eradicate stink bugs in our houses??
tina
03 Feb 2010, 21:09
03 Feb 2010, 21:09
I hate bugs but these bugs are everywhere somebody please try to find
something to kill them
Donna
08 Feb 2010, 21:45
08 Feb 2010, 21:45
I live in South Central PA and we are also infested. Last fall they invaded
our RV. There had to be over a hundred in there. This past fall, 2009, was
not that bad in the camper but they are in the house. They fly to my desk
light when I am at my computer. What I do is try to pick them up real fast
before they get scared and spray their stink, then I roll up the tissue and
tape it all shut with packing tape and throw it away. I bought packing tape
just to help get rid of stink bugs! These things are totally disgusting.
I'd love to find a way to make a trap for them.
Carl
08 Feb 2010, 22:19
08 Feb 2010, 22:19
ok, i have actualy found a way to slow
down the stink bug invasion,. i live in
pittsburgh,PA. on a 6 acre private land
with no neighbors full of woods with many insects but mainly the survivor insect the stink bug. their feremone is the key you must remove any live plants
that you may have inside your home of
which they can feed & reproduce their larva and replace them with either mint/
and or garlic plants next if you have a
fire place thats not in use you may need
to have it cleaned and possibly exterminated if not in use. last but not least any cracks or areas of where you see them place a small lamp with a low efficient new age lite bulb and place 1 to 2 moth balls around the lamp
they will drop like flies. never use ayour vacume cleaner on theese insects
their feremone is so strong it will continue to call more reinforcements, just sweep them up and discard them outside.
down the stink bug invasion,. i live in
pittsburgh,PA. on a 6 acre private land
with no neighbors full of woods with many insects but mainly the survivor insect the stink bug. their feremone is the key you must remove any live plants
that you may have inside your home of
which they can feed & reproduce their larva and replace them with either mint/
and or garlic plants next if you have a
fire place thats not in use you may need
to have it cleaned and possibly exterminated if not in use. last but not least any cracks or areas of where you see them place a small lamp with a low efficient new age lite bulb and place 1 to 2 moth balls around the lamp
they will drop like flies. never use ayour vacume cleaner on theese insects
their feremone is so strong it will continue to call more reinforcements, just sweep them up and discard them outside.
Carol, Princeton, NJ
11 Feb 2010, 01:13
11 Feb 2010, 01:13
These bugs seem to really be attracted to the Eastern regions. I never knew
what these bugs were until this summer 2009. Last summer 2008 is the first
time I started seeing them always clinging to the screens in the summer &
after I put a window air conditioner in, they got access to the house.
Infestation was bad last winter. I still see them in the house this winter
but not too bad since inside temp is kept down 7 all cracks were sealed
when air con put in windows this past summer. I will definitely try
treating the outside of house this spring & summer to get some control.
These bugs are really icky!!
Dee in Hillside NJ
16 Feb 2010, 15:48
16 Feb 2010, 15:48
I have been infested with these horrible creatures/freaks of nature. I
rent a 2nd floor apartment and my landlord is downstairs. I do not believe
that they are not being affected by these monsterous insects like they have
been saying. Isn't that what all landlords say.. "oh, sorry you are
having a problem because we haven't had any issues". Reason: we aren't
getting an exterminator. All I wsnna know is how to ensure I don't take
these bastards with me when I move. PLEASE tell me that they won't travel
to my next hopefully peaceful home!
Susan in Freehold NJ
16 Feb 2010, 20:21
16 Feb 2010, 20:21
These bugs are invasive. They seem to know that you are hunting them. I
hate the loud noise they make when they fly. I have a dog and don't want to
fog my house until the weather clears and I can send her to my parents. I
notified Rutgers here, I'm hoping they get back to me. I can't belive
these bugs are multiplying like this.
Phil T
17 Feb 2010, 09:50
17 Feb 2010, 09:50
Seems from the posts, Northern Virginia is inundated, the reason I'm here
is the same as everyone else. My neighbors and I have been talking
'Stink-bugs' all winter---Feb and we're all still finding them. I
experimented with one, saw it on my (indoor) bamboo in the same spot, it
would move only if disturbed, it stayed there for (I think) just over two
months, then I was done and got rid of (my pet) stinky. I saw a post the
talked about a product similiar to the Japaneese Beatle trap---I never had
to many J. Beatles in the past, until I started using them; they're the
worst! Find another method. I have plenty, but none in my bed, hair, etc.
etc. I think these are one of the easiest bugs in the world to catch,
they're so slow and seem blind, all they need is a little 'tap' into a jar
or something, no smell...deal with it people...it's nature.
Audri in Manalapan
17 Feb 2010, 14:52
17 Feb 2010, 14:52
I can't believe that there is a post from Freehold!!After reading all these
others I am so glad I am not the only one right here. Know what I mean?
Anyway,I have been finding them and throwing them out the window in a
tissue all winter. I finally went on the computer today to find out what it
was. I am mortified!!I kept blaming the smell on one of my cats that is not
fixed and does not have the best hygiene habits.I want to tell my family
that it was never the cat but I can't bring myself to admit that I have
STINKBUGS in my bedroom!! Help!!
Greg of WV
18 Feb 2010, 10:46
18 Feb 2010, 10:46
Check out one of my solutions on stopstinkbugs.com My link
http://stopstinkbugs.ning.com/forum/topics/stink-bug-treatments-whats
I used a light and a fly strip and their scent. I've since have tried and used just the light and fly strips.
It's like hunting. I use what I know about them to bring them in. They use their own scent,like heat and light.
So I started baiting them with scent and light. It works. Now around this area I've started using deltamethrin. Suspend SC.
I see very little of them in other parts of my home now. They seem to congregate to my "baited trap"
http://stopstinkbugs.ning.com/forum/topics/stink-bug-treatments-whats
I used a light and a fly strip and their scent. I've since have tried and used just the light and fly strips.
It's like hunting. I use what I know about them to bring them in. They use their own scent,like heat and light.
So I started baiting them with scent and light. It works. Now around this area I've started using deltamethrin. Suspend SC.
I see very little of them in other parts of my home now. They seem to congregate to my "baited trap"
JB Va
20 Feb 2010, 16:52
20 Feb 2010, 16:52
Stink bugs can be killed by dropping your home temp and / or spraying them
with soapy water. I suggest that you send pets and kids to a friend or
relative for a weekend while its still cold outside. Open your windows and
let the house cool down - I don't know if they die or just become
lethargic. Then shake them out of anything such as bags and fabrics.
Vaccum them and toss the bag. I can't afford to replace windows and such
and this seems to be the only safe way to kill them. The times I find them
and can't lower the home temp - soapy water dries them out and kills them.
Lynnardo
20 Feb 2010, 23:12
20 Feb 2010, 23:12
Geezzzz...I see these crazy bugs in my house too. I keep my house temp at
55 degree's when I'm at work. They are definitely more active when it's
warmer inside! I usually pick them up with toilet paper and flush them.
I'm gonna try tapping them into a plastic bottle that has a little bit of
soap water in it...hopefully they'll suffocate! Oh, and whoever the folks
are that keep saying these bugs first arrived here in 2001 are somehow
getting false information. These bugs have been around in our section of
the world for a long time. I don't know how long, but I remember seeing
them all the time when I was a kid in the 60's. Happy hunting!
Brandon
21 Feb 2010, 20:17
21 Feb 2010, 20:17
Here in pottstown PA (around alletown) they are TERRIBLE! I just found one
in the frickin middle of february! I usually give em a dose of cheap
hairspray, it freezes their wings and legs then put em in the toilet water
to eventually drown then i just flush em
Megan
22 Feb 2010, 15:14
22 Feb 2010, 15:14
I find stink bugs in my condo, it seems to be in waves, none foe a whiel
then I find one or two a day for a week. I have installed all new doors
and windows since I moved in four years ago, then a friend said they could
be getting in through the vents. We went to check my filter and it is
loose, there is wiggle room around the filter, so if you figure that the
air is being sucked from outside and then your filter leaves a bit of
space, the bugs are then allowed to into your house via heating vents...I
then foundone that was on the floor right below a vent and when I looked up
I saw one on the vent on the celing. Now that I have thought back on it, I
do seem to find them in relatively the same areas. Oddly never in the
downstairs bathroom or kitchen where I have closed the heating vents. not
sure if that helps anyone out, but you might want to check to see if your
filter has space around it where the bugs could be getting around and
inside.
WV Jim
23 Feb 2010, 21:07
23 Feb 2010, 21:07
The little buggers are annoying but I don't find the odor to be bad. My
family has a different opinion but, quite frankly, I find the odor neither
repugnant nor attractive. What bothers me is that these bugs need some
serious flying lessons. They seem to fly like a drunken pilot and could
care less where they land.
Chef Elvis
23 Feb 2010, 21:50
23 Feb 2010, 21:50
I must disagree with Kevin from 12 Jan. I, too live in Clarke County and
this is our 2nd season, not first. We've had an incredibly cold winter and
the first few weeks of wood stove heat had them coming out in droves. Now,
in late Feb we're finding a few more live and many dead ones.
And...instead of flushing each and every one...get a couple of sheets of toilet paper, grab them quickly and get your fingers away from them even more quickly (this is a very advanced technique, believe me) and sorta twist the TP at the bottom to form sort of an ice cream cone looking thing. Then...simply wet the TP and drop the creep in the trash. The TP seals 'em in and they go out with the next dump.
And...instead of flushing each and every one...get a couple of sheets of toilet paper, grab them quickly and get your fingers away from them even more quickly (this is a very advanced technique, believe me) and sorta twist the TP at the bottom to form sort of an ice cream cone looking thing. Then...simply wet the TP and drop the creep in the trash. The TP seals 'em in and they go out with the next dump.
Greg of WV
24 Feb 2010, 07:18
24 Feb 2010, 07:18
Chef, Im in Jefferson Cty, Charles Town so I share your problem. See my Feb
18 post. Knowing that they are in the house and the damn things had free
run , I came up with concept of baiting them. It has continued to work.
I've since applied products that have deltamethrin. Called Suspend SC. It
does work. I researched first. I ordered it online. Good Luck
Christina
24 Feb 2010, 11:20
24 Feb 2010, 11:20
I agree with Jim about the odor not being so repulsive. Years ago I
smelled a lotion that reminded me of the scent of stinkbugs! It was
Jergens Cherry Almond scent. Maybe I'm crazy, but it took me straight back
to all those years of playing with stinkbugs as a kid in south Georgia.
Not sure if Jergens still makes that lotion, but the sense of smell is an
amazing thing. Sometimes Your mind makes strange associations from smells.
Doris
24 Feb 2010, 14:05
24 Feb 2010, 14:05
We started to see stinkbugs in our house in Ellicott City, MD in the Fall.
First time ever. Not that many--just one here, one there, but at least one
or two a day. They disappeared when it got cold outside. Now they are
back--my cat finds them and I've learned to believe her when she stops and
stares even though I can't see anything at first! Eventually I find it
(ugh!). My husband gets them out of the house. Anyway, I read an article
about them that said they can live for several years (give me strength),
and that they hibernate over the winter in your walls, siding, attics, etc.
A warm spell (which we have been having) will wake them up and they'll
show up in the house again. I'm going to call an exterminator.
cavemanstyle
05 Mar 2010, 09:57
05 Mar 2010, 09:57
Hey Stink Bug Soldiers, I think I have a good idea on how to trap and kill
these things.
I once went out side to shake out a blanket that I left on the outside chair, low-and-behold, TONS of stinkbugs were inside of it.. as if it were a stink bug party, and I wasn't invited.
I think what I am going to try to do, is get a can of the most potent bug killer that I can find and just soak down that blanket with it.. and I mean, a whole can or two, maybe three, and then, just set it on the porch and wait for them fools to try and party in it again... If they don't detect the bug killer, I think they will crawl inside of it, and just commit stink bug suicide.. Also, I would use a white or bright colored blanket, so that the sun reflects off of it, and it's warm and cozy, inviting them into their death. let's try it.. I will too. If it works, we have a good solution to kill many. Thanks for listening.. ~Cavemanstyle~
I once went out side to shake out a blanket that I left on the outside chair, low-and-behold, TONS of stinkbugs were inside of it.. as if it were a stink bug party, and I wasn't invited.
I think what I am going to try to do, is get a can of the most potent bug killer that I can find and just soak down that blanket with it.. and I mean, a whole can or two, maybe three, and then, just set it on the porch and wait for them fools to try and party in it again... If they don't detect the bug killer, I think they will crawl inside of it, and just commit stink bug suicide.. Also, I would use a white or bright colored blanket, so that the sun reflects off of it, and it's warm and cozy, inviting them into their death. let's try it.. I will too. If it works, we have a good solution to kill many. Thanks for listening.. ~Cavemanstyle~
Angie
05 Mar 2010, 10:30
05 Mar 2010, 10:30
I also live in Ellicott City, MD and I HATE THEM!! We supposed to
experience a warming for the next week and I know they will reappear. We
too have an older home 1957 and it's impossible to seal every nook and
cranny. They have always seemed to like my daughter's room upstairs and she
finds 4-6 everyday. I have noticed that in the winter months, they move
very, very slow and not much flying. She scoops them up using two plastic
cups and flushes.
I've always seen them here and there, but this past summer seems to be the worst and too believe that it's not going to get better.
I've really don't know what they smell like and my daughter says they STINK. Can someone describe the smell because there's scent in the wall going down the steps to the basement and I'm starting to wonder if it's dead stink bugs.
I'm going to try the suggestions for using Suspend SC. These things give me the CREEPS!
I've always seen them here and there, but this past summer seems to be the worst and too believe that it's not going to get better.
I've really don't know what they smell like and my daughter says they STINK. Can someone describe the smell because there's scent in the wall going down the steps to the basement and I'm starting to wonder if it's dead stink bugs.
I'm going to try the suggestions for using Suspend SC. These things give me the CREEPS!
Lisa
06 Mar 2010, 22:48
06 Mar 2010, 22:48
Just want to register my 2 cents. I live in Elkridge, MD and started seeing
Stink Bugs last spring. And now that temps are warming up again, they're
back with a vengeance. I have a lady bug infestation as well, but I don't
mind them as much!
Luann
07 Mar 2010, 15:59
07 Mar 2010, 15:59
Today is Sunday, March 7th. Spring is almost two weeks away. The stinkers
were out on my patio, on me, all over the back side of my house, the ground
and best of all, on the snow. They're out and about, stinking up a storm!
Greg of WV
07 Mar 2010, 17:35
07 Mar 2010, 17:35
I posted a link above /earlier but I see it doesn't work. It's at stopstink
bugs.ning Drop down to the forum and "Stink Bug Treatments: What's Working
for You". I posted some pics of my "traps" that I'm having success with.
The Suspend SC and Delta Dust is doing the job too I find.I spent about $70 for the SC,Dust and a duster.
As shown in my pics the light draws them in. I let the sticky traps and the insecticide do the rest.
Might see one or two in the house occasionally but not like before.
The Suspend SC and Delta Dust is doing the job too I find.I spent about $70 for the SC,Dust and a duster.
As shown in my pics the light draws them in. I let the sticky traps and the insecticide do the rest.
Might see one or two in the house occasionally but not like before.
Scott From Front royal Va
09 Mar 2010, 21:24
09 Mar 2010, 21:24
We started having problems about a year ago. Each year I grow a garden and
find them munching on my squash. I even have noticed thier eggs on the
backs of the squash plants leaves. Our house has mini blinds which cut out
the light. However, a few still find thier way inside. Last week I brought
in some plant starter kits from outside....I seperated the paks and found
clumps of stink bugs....thousands. I burned them in the fireplace.....no
smell.
One other thing. I poured a bowl of cereal about a month ago. Didnt know it but a stink bug found its way in the box of cereal. I chomped down on that sucker. You think they smell bad when you touch them? I threw up but, the taste/smell (same thing in your mouth)still remained in my mouth. I hate stink bug with all my heart. They always seem to apear during a meal. However, there a great way to lose weight, seriously.
One other thing. I poured a bowl of cereal about a month ago. Didnt know it but a stink bug found its way in the box of cereal. I chomped down on that sucker. You think they smell bad when you touch them? I threw up but, the taste/smell (same thing in your mouth)still remained in my mouth. I hate stink bug with all my heart. They always seem to apear during a meal. However, there a great way to lose weight, seriously.
Andrew, New Zealand
10 Mar 2010, 05:20
10 Mar 2010, 05:20
These things piss me off! Luckily my apartment is pretty sealed off. New
Zealand doesnt get as bad with the critters as some of your American
households by the sounds of it anyway. I had one in my room about half an
hour ago. Flew in through my window and onto my electric guitar amp. its a
60volt. so (as ingenious and cruel as i am) i took a plastic container and
covered it while it was on the speaker. i carefully blu-tacd the corners of
the container and turned the guitar on. After a few blasts of high gain and
distorted riffs, the bugger mustve internally exploded or something.
Because 5 minutes later after intense violent shaking, it was just laying
there, dead. No smell whatsoever. I feel pretty bad, but atleast i got rid
of the stinkybugger.
Stuart B, washington
10 Mar 2010, 05:24
10 Mar 2010, 05:24
hahahahahah Andrew, youre hilarious!! i hate these bugs so much. ive had
one in my mouth, in my pockets, my shoes, one even dived into my cereal
bowl this morning like it was its own swimming pool! im glad im not the
only one with stink bug issues! we need eradication of these! and soon!
James
10 Mar 2010, 21:53
10 Mar 2010, 21:53
OK - I'm winning the stink bug battle. I purchased an item called the Bug
Buddy at a yard sale- It has a sliding tray that you control with your
thumb and scoop those suckers up. You can get them on amazon. After this
I have a plastic clamshell case that is pre sprayed with Glade Room Spray,
perfume or cologne spray will also work. The next step is to release the
stink bug into the clamshell case. I have tried everything to kill these
suckers including amonia, rubbing alcohol, and liquid plumber, etc.
Nothing worked except for this. with the bug flipped over I put a small
drop of duco cement glue on the body and head- in a few minutes - the bug
was dead with no stinky smell!!!
Suzie
11 Mar 2010, 11:35
11 Mar 2010, 11:35
I live in wild and wonderful, stink bug infested West Virginia. I think
that I have tried everything. On an individual basis (sitting on your
screen, etc) squirt them with wd-40 or canned air. You can watch them
seize (girl's gotta have some fun). The best (and I do mean best) thing
for deterring and killing them that I've found so far is called Cedarcide.
It's an organic product (used by our troops to combat sand fleas and
scorpions)and the stink bugs hate it! I've just purchased my second
gallon. I'm soaking my deck with another product from Cedarcide this year.
The one that I used is called "Best Yet", safe around pets -- smells just
like cedar! I love this product...I hate stink bugs.. I hope this helps a
little. The bonus -- your deck doesn't smell like the nasty little things
anymore!!
JOANNE
11 Mar 2010, 16:05
11 Mar 2010, 16:05
I HAVE BEEN SLEEPING ON MY COUCH SINCE OCTOBER OF 2009. I HAD STINK BUGS
FLYING ALL OVER MY BEDROOM, IN MY CLOSET, IN MY DRAWERS AND I CAN'T SLEEP
IN MY BEDROOM ANYMORE. I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE. I
REALLY FEEL LIKE I AM GOING TO LOSE MY MIND OVER THESE BUGS.
Jonathan
11 Mar 2010, 21:28
A friend of mine has the nasty intruders and I have to wear a
organic vapor's respirator from 3M and spent the last two nights trying to win
the war and had to fall back after doing
considerable damage to their numbers.I
used to be a painting contractor and sprayed and alot of lacquer and no insect lived threw that. This part of the house plastic'ed off and is a good
twenty-eight feet high { three sections
of scaffolding } These stink bugs don't
give up. I filled the vac up three times
and they were still coming on stong. Any
way the reason for my two cents here is
Southern States has a two part chemcial
that drops them dead. It's cost $ 50.00
and I don't know the name of it but my
friend says it works. Her house is about
2500 sq ft and sits on over a hundred
acres of land. She got them in and out.
Major problem !!! I find out tomorrow
and post it. Good luck everybody. Can't
give up!!!
11 Mar 2010, 21:28
A friend of mine has the nasty intruders and I have to wear a
organic vapor's respirator from 3M and spent the last two nights trying to win
the war and had to fall back after doing
considerable damage to their numbers.I
used to be a painting contractor and sprayed and alot of lacquer and no insect lived threw that. This part of the house plastic'ed off and is a good
twenty-eight feet high { three sections
of scaffolding } These stink bugs don't
give up. I filled the vac up three times
and they were still coming on stong. Any
way the reason for my two cents here is
Southern States has a two part chemcial
that drops them dead. It's cost $ 50.00
and I don't know the name of it but my
friend says it works. Her house is about
2500 sq ft and sits on over a hundred
acres of land. She got them in and out.
Major problem !!! I find out tomorrow
and post it. Good luck everybody. Can't
give up!!!
kathy in hunterdon county NJ
13 Mar 2010, 12:39
13 Mar 2010, 12:39
Victory is mine! I cleaned out my attic yesterday and then set off 3 of
those Raid-type pest foggers. When I peeked inside this morning, I saw
hundreds and hundreds of dead stink bugs. After I get my boyfriend to
vaccum them up with a shop vac, I am going to look for someone to pay to
seal my attic with silicone caulk and remove/reinstall fresh insulation. I
think they live under my old insulation--so disturbing!!!!!!!
Jenn Manalapan NJ
13 Mar 2010, 17:50
13 Mar 2010, 17:50
I live in a condo in Manalapan NJ I have had a problem with stink bugs for
the past 2 years but they were mainly outside. This past winter they have
slowly made it into my home. Bc I live in a condo outside insultaion and
spraying is out of my control. My neighbor is facing the same problem as me
& they are in her bedroom also. I'm wondering what the reason is that these
bugs seem paticularly drawn to bedrooms. I don't mind ladybugs but these
things are just plain nasty!!!!! I hope they come up with a solution to
these invaders soon bc every year they multiply more then the previous
year. I'm afraid to see what this summer and fall will be like.
Nick
14 Mar 2010, 11:00
14 Mar 2010, 11:00
I SWORE ive been bite by one... Im sure atleast on my eye, as im posting
this comment, my eye is HUGE. Im going to the hospital soon to see what it
is. But I think its a stink bug.
Jenn
14 Mar 2010, 22:49
14 Mar 2010, 22:49
Reading everyone's stories...about how some of you so easily killed
them...um, I hope you all know that they do play dead...
Riha
14 Mar 2010, 23:49
14 Mar 2010, 23:49
We get the little stinkers periodically here in south-western VA. If
you're not keen on using poison to get rid of them, try the following:
1) Make sure your ventilation system has tight, clean filters. The bugs will try to ninja their way into the house through the outtake valves.
2) Try using a Dust Buster or vacuum cleaner to round up a large number of house-bound bugs (make sure you toss the bag right away!!!).
3) Make sure all screens and door jambs fit securely. Use latex caulk, they'll just eat through foam.
4) Boric Acid works almost as well on these guys as it does on roaches. It doesn't kill them, but it does help repel them.
1) Make sure your ventilation system has tight, clean filters. The bugs will try to ninja their way into the house through the outtake valves.
2) Try using a Dust Buster or vacuum cleaner to round up a large number of house-bound bugs (make sure you toss the bag right away!!!).
3) Make sure all screens and door jambs fit securely. Use latex caulk, they'll just eat through foam.
4) Boric Acid works almost as well on these guys as it does on roaches. It doesn't kill them, but it does help repel them.
jocelyn wedge
15 Mar 2010, 17:11
15 Mar 2010, 17:11
HI i am so glad i am not the only one having a stink bug problem but i
have found a way to kill them with out stinking my house up, thisn stuff is
poison and very flammable so be carefull can be fatalor cause blindness .
it is DENATURED ALCOHOL put in spray bottle and spay them, they die than
i put thenm in a empty water bottle and return the lid tightly they die but
it is a slow proscess but they die
ajoze
15 Mar 2010, 21:22
15 Mar 2010, 21:22
thanks to those of you who shared horrifying stories of stink bugs. I share
your hatred of the f'ers but I realized that I don't have it as bad. I did
want to share my solution .. I have a empty wrapping paper roll closed at
one end and capture stink bugs by nudging them into the roll. They are
quite compliant. Once caught, I knock them into the toilet and wait to
flush until I've used it. I don't promote wasting water. This is, of
course, for the slow ones. Some are energetic enough to require an instant
flush.
Bugged Out
16 Mar 2010, 23:32
16 Mar 2010, 23:32
Ewwwwwwwwww gross. I know exactly what you all mean. These pests are a real
pain in the... butt. Never had them till recently (like past 2 years) but
now they're here and here to stay. There's just no way I can seal every
single crack and crevace in my home, it's impossible. I too have taken to
catching them in empty water bottles and then tossing them out (fortunately
this family drinks a lot of H2O). Every night before we go to bed I go
around on bug patrol so they haven't chased me from my bedroom, yet.
Thankfully they're noisy flyers, gives us all an extra second to duck out
of their way. But my house critters are wary of them (they must've tried to
eat 'em) and now that the warmer weather is here I'm hoping to find a way
to keep them from becoming as big of a pest as they've been. Chemical
poisions are fine for some people but not for this family. There's just too
many resistances out there and if we keep using chemicals the resistance is
going to get stronger (it's the same with vaccines, 20 years age there was
no swine flu. Stronger vaccines = stronger viruses, and weaker immune
systems) so tomorrow I'm going to call my local beneficial insect company
and see if there's something they can do for this problem, and, as a last
resort, if they can't help I'm going to buy buy some gasoline and burn the
house down (just kidding).
wicked witch
17 Mar 2010, 21:37
17 Mar 2010, 21:37
I would sell my favorite winged monkey to get these nasty invaders out of
my castle.
Christi
17 Mar 2010, 22:12
17 Mar 2010, 22:12
kill stink bugs