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Stink Bugs

Summary: Every year stink bugs invade parts of the country and people search for ways to keep stink bugs from getting into their homes. Exclusion! Exclusion! Exclusion is the only answer. You can learn more about stink bug control products here.

Ken K; Warminster, PA asks: Every year we get invaded by hundreds of stink bugs. Where can I buy a p roduct to kill stink bugs inside and outside of house?

Dear Ken: I get tons of mail asking me how to stop stink bugs from getting inside houses and the only answer is exclusion. Tight fitting windows, doors, eaves, pipes, weep holes, vent and chimney screens and every other crack and crevice needs to be sealed shut. Good luck in making that happen.

Stink bugs are attracted to light and will find their way into homes during the long summer nights when porch and deck lights are on and doors are being opened and closed. Stink bugs do not reproduce inside, so you only have to deal with collecting them and getting them out of the house.

Stink bugs won't harm you or your belongings, but they can be smelly if crushed or collected in a sweeper. They won't bite, because they don't have jaws, but a stink bug will pierce you with the beak it uses to suck the juices out of pine seeds. It feels like a pin prick.

Aerosol-type pyrethrum pesticides will kill stink bugs that have amassed on walls and ceilings, but the treatment will not prevent more stink bugs from emerging shortly afterwards.If you are unable to totally seal up your house you can get somerelief from exterior applications of insecticides. Treatments using a synthetic pyrethroid like Talstar Pro just prior to the time when stink bugs start to congregate seems to provide relief. I will warn you that the demand for Talstar was so high during the height of the stink bug invasion that the product was in short supply. You may want to stock up on it now.

Click here for more articles on stink bugs.

Comments

Anna
28 Sep 2009, 18:03

My house looks like it has a blanked of stink bugs on it. In the afternoon, when the sun is shining on my kitchen door, there are hundreds of them all along the edges. It takes me 10 minutes just to brush them all off before I can go in my house. Last weekend I got some stink bug juice in my eye and it swelled shut. I came home from a business trip today and vacuumed over 100 of them in my house. I can hear them clinking around in my chimney and in my kitchen stove vent. I feel like I'm in some horror movie and like I'm losing my mind!!! I hope we can come up with a solution soon, before I go completely mental.

dan
04 Oct 2009, 00:44

We have also been invaded!!! Our place has been innundated with them the last 2 weeks here in Western MD. Today, I went and bought a wet/dry shop vac. I filled it with a gallon of soapy water and have sucked up over 200 of them from inside our house. The war continues against this alien menace.

theresa
03 Dec 2009, 20:52

I live in New Jersey...Gloucester County.....I am INFESTED with them and have been for over 2 years. Been exterminated 4 times. I can't take it much longer..I'm ready to sell my house!

yuch
25 Jan 2010, 11:01

This is the first year i've been invaded by stink bugs in Frederick, md. I was hoping they would go away like cicadas did but now i don't think it will happen. My last straw was when i sat down to eat a meal and got a mouthful of crunchy stink bug. i was dealing with them now i'm ready to move.

Barbara
26 Jan 2010, 11:51

This is our second year being invaded by the nasty things!!, but I thought they kind of hybernated in the winter, boy i was wrong!, i flush and vacuum at least a dozen or more a day - called the exterminator, no guarrentees and he lives close to me and does his house every three months that just too much $$$$. Maybe i'll have to work for the exterminator to get a discount.:)

Jean
13 Feb 2010, 11:01

I have only seen 4 of them so far. I had brought boxes down from upstairs at xmas time and it seems I saw them at that time. Upstairs I have two window air conditioners. I read on another site that they come in through these vents in the window air conditioners. My son also had window air conditioners and when he took them out all these stink bugs fell out. Next winter I'm taking my ac's out of the windows.

Steff
07 Mar 2010, 02:47

OMG I dont know what it is but im so afraid of this stink bugs. They're just ugly and there are too many of them. I cant Even see one because i'll freak out. They invaded my room and my attic, and I even saw one in the bathroom. Sometimes I feel that they just don't like me because I get one in my room at least every 3 days.

Will
06 Apr 2010, 17:47

I live in south Jersey and this is the third year I've been at war with these horrible little creatures. The good news is insted of insecticides I have found that Windex Antibacterial (it's yellow) spray window cleaner, kills them in seconds. Something in the Windex a type of oil is death quickly for these disgusting things. I am against killing anything but these things serve no use except to make our lives miserable. It's not a cure but it is a weapon. Good Luck

Gina
07 Apr 2010, 14:41

Just moved to Smithsburg MD last year and have been invaded by these nasty bugs. We live in the woods, so maybe that makes it worse. I have eaten them, drank them, and had them land on me while I sleep many times. Surely someone can come up with something to keep these things away from our homes!?
For now, I use a spray bottle full of hot soapy water, when they are on the screens..but obviously cannot spray my interior walls. I was told that this suffocates them... I feel like we are the only ones but it looks as though I am not alone.

hannah
07 Apr 2010, 22:02

all of a sudden i see TONZ of bugs in my room, i cannot sleep at night knowing there are stinkbugs in my room crawling around.
a few questions
1: will they crawl into your mouth???
2:were are they coming from?
3: if i spray them with hairspray will it kill them?
4: i i am seeing BABY stinkbugs, does that mean that they have layed eggs into my room.

PLEASE GET BACK TO ME ASAP!
I AM SO SCARED OF THIS BUG(S)
i am only 12. please.

John
08 Apr 2010, 23:27

As I sat at my desk reading this blog 2 stink bugs walked across my desk and I'd swear they looked up at me like "whats your problem" We find at least 25 per day in my house and in the attic theres literally a thousand of them under the rolls of insulation. From my understanding Rutgers is performing a study to try to eliminate or at least control these pests.

Sam
20 Apr 2010, 22:12

I just decided to get on the web to find out what these things were, we see only a couple a day, but they give me the willies. I couldn't imagine seeing anymore because I would have to move. They are so ugly that we have been calling them Monster Bugs, not know ing what they were. I know there has to be an infestation of them somewhere. It's something about them that is so creapy and it's like they aren't even scared of you. They just look at you like "what is there a problem". They are really weird and gross.

Lou
23 May 2010, 21:08

Well, something happened to these in our area. About 8 weeks ago they all started dying. No matter where we went we saw dead stink bugs and those that were alive looked sickly. Now, I have not seen a single one alive in 2 weeks. I think nature has run it's course on these - for now.

Lou
23 May 2010, 21:12

I should have mentioned 2 things. We also saw many per day - 25 or more, especially during spring and fall for the past 3 years. Also, the area we live is Philly suburbs. I cannot believe how they are just gone. We became so used to them being around. We did nothing to get rid of them (or keep them). Maybe we insulted them.

janet
29 May 2010, 14:38

I am from south jersey and I have had it with the stink bugs. I keep my windows and doors shut all the time. When I go on my screened in porch I usually kill about 12 a day. I am so frightened by them, they are the ugliest thing I ever saw and they stink so bad.
I have and a electric fly swatter and I electricute them with it. It works pretty good and I can see them being tortured.

Mick
17 Aug 2010, 00:18

I am so sick of these sink bugs, coming in my house. I came home one day and my door was covered with these bugs and it took anout 15 minutes to get them off my door and my 5 year old daughter is scared to sleep in her room because we have killed about 100 of them on her walls. I'm at the point where I'm ready to sell my house and get the hell out of town because this is crazy. I wish these bugs would go AWAY!

donneisha brown
02 Sep 2010, 04:37

My is Donneisha brown i am 18 years of age im from pittsburgh pa 15221 im so frighting right now its 4 in the morning an i cant sleep this is the first time i ever seen stink bugs this much in my house in my entire house i am told if you kill a stinkbug it smell atract more there attracted to yellow an if you crush ten cigarettes put them in half gallon of water an soap it eliminates them they lay 30 too 100 eggs.....i tried everything they go away at night for some reason do they sleep.....i pantic every day thinking i see one im scared of them i never been scared of a bug in my life honestly but its something about them thats scary......there orginaly from asia why wont they go back where they be lng.....please get back at me asap

Ask the Exterminator
02 Sep 2010, 08:33

I've got lots of articles on stink bugs. Links are at the top left corner of this page.

Jen
02 Sep 2010, 20:22

Hey Donneisha,
I've been dealing with this for only 2 days but today I figured something out. If you take a cup half filled with water and a folded paper towel, you can swipe them real quick with the paper towel into the cup. They can't get out once they hit the water. This way you don't crush them & make them smell. Then I just flush it down the toilet, refill the glass & go for the next one. I just got 9 of them that way. I'm too chicken to crush them anyways and I hear they'll smell even if you vaccuum them up.

Sum Ting Wong
03 Sep 2010, 22:28

Them Funk Bugs is bad news

Jake
07 Sep 2010, 11:31

Last fall was the worst stink bug season I Have ever seen. No Exaggeration. Everyone says how bad they have it and it never really hits home. This swarm rivaled the Cicada. Literally thousands. And this year doesn't look any better. I just read they are attracted to yellow. Guess what color my house is!

I have had killing success with the ingredient DELTAMETHRINE. the dust works well but only if the bug walks in it.

i think I might try some traps next to lure them away from my colorfully pleasing exterior.

Lis
19 Sep 2010, 13:20

I am so tired of hearing that 'thunk' noise as they hit the windows or the floor. Where can I move where the stink bug will not follow???? My kids will earn their fortunes flushing stinkbugs even @ 5 cents a pop!

leighann mangle
19 Sep 2010, 20:08

hi i live in pa lewistown 17044.
and in housing and the bugs are all over the place. how do i get rid of them?

Ask the Exterminator
20 Sep 2010, 10:30

Seems like most people are having success using a product called Talstar Pro. They are spraying the exterior of their homes with the product. See Talstar by clicking on "Pest Control Products" at the top of this page.

Sharon
21 Sep 2010, 22:40

Just wanted to tell everyone,,, I have become the stinkbug killer... The receipe I use is one pack of cigarettes cut up,, in a gallon of water... for half hour,,,strain then add one tablespoon of dawn detergent,,put in spray bottle,, when you spray them with this they can't fly.. they drop to the floor then you can pick them up and throw them away,,, They litterly invaded my fireplace by coming down the chimmney.. I have a gas fireplace..I burned them one day and 2 days later they were back like 200..i think they laid eggs inside my fireplace.. in the past three weeks i have burned at least 1000,,, i am ready to move,, and if they are in my attic.. i am gone... but success with all of us joining together to kill them .. maybe they will be gone soon..

Mag in WV
22 Sep 2010, 14:50

What is their natural predator in Asia? Or don't they have one?

Ask the Exterminator
22 Sep 2010, 23:25

Birds and small animals.

Donna
23 Sep 2010, 09:22

WOW.. I thought the Stink Bug invasion was only in Bowie, Md. It is crazy. Came home to about 50 of them in the bedroom and sprayed with ant and roach killer. They did not die. So I sucked them up in the vaccum and dumped the cannister in the woods. They seem to love sunlight and inside bright lights.
My neighbor is having the same problem and she used Home Defense and she said it kills them quickly. Buying some today on the way home..If that doesn't work VINEGAR is next. LOL It has over 1000 uses lets see if it kills stink bugs too.

YUCK from Bowie ...

Amy
23 Sep 2010, 17:50

I live near Frederick, MD in an old farm house... sealing up cracks? OMG.. I feel like I should just run this house over with a bull dozer right now!! I CANNOT EVEN SLEEP IN MY BEDROOM the stinkbugs came in through the air conditioners!! I have literally spent over 5 hours sucking up stink bugs in my vaccum cleaner and spraying insecticide... BUT IT DOESNT WORK.. THEY ARE BACK IN FULL FORCE IN ABOUT AN HOUR!!! HELP ME!!!!

steve
23 Sep 2010, 19:21

I have learned to live with them.There are to many to kill,so i gave up. I have named everyone of them...we watch movies together!in fact,i already have started christmas shopping for them!By the way,I am a stink bug!

shell
24 Sep 2010, 08:56

There is a product called Bengal Gold Roach Spray (2% sumithrin) that is VERY effective against the stink bugs, and so are flea foggers!!! I live near Frederick, MD and they are horrific this year. If I could post a pic I would show you how effective as there are literally 1000's dead down in my husbands shed after setting a flea fogger off in there!!!!I HATE the lil buggers!!!

Bryant
24 Sep 2010, 15:16

Anna..I know how you feel these Stink Bugs are making me feel like im in a horror movie I can't even go in the bathroom and use the Toilet without A stink bug on the Toilet Paper ,Its driving me nutts Im against sprays but Exterminators need to find a spray that kills that instantly

Natasha
24 Sep 2010, 16:09

I live in Damascus, MD and my house has approximately 500-1000 stink bugs on the exterior, we had to use painters tape on our side door due to the fact they were getting past the weather stripping and 3 days ago I came home to about 200 of them in my dining room... Until we replace the weather stripping which we cant do till the bloom has died down, we are stuck with the painters tape on that door.

As for my Garage, that's another 500 or so on the exterior, yesterday we spent about 2 hours vacumming the ones that got into the garage, talk about a Stephen King nightmare!! I think there were more on the inside than the outside.

So far we have used:

Seven sprayer- this is a contact killer, I didn't feel this was very effective.

Dawn and water - So far they just spread their wings and dry off, I don't know the water to Dawn ratio - I couldn't seem to find that; however I put an awful lot of Dawn in the sprayer.

This has been a nightmare all this week for us :(

Patriot76
26 Sep 2010, 07:56

Great - bugs from Asia. I've researched this and was pleased to see that the specific origin was China. Not only have we given our good jobs and technology to a COMMUNIST country we have their bugs sent over in another cargo import. Too make it worse we use to do a much better job years ago of spraying cargo containers when they came in. But thanks to the environmental nuts much of this was eliminated. And the products used today have far less efficacy.

Ask the Exterminator
26 Sep 2010, 08:25

Thank you all for posting your comments on my website. I really appreciate it. Please remember that this site covers a lot more than stink bugs. The pest category list on the left side of any page is extensive.

A word about store-bought pesticides. Most of the products you buy in stores is pre-mixed, ready-to-use. The products you purchase on this site often require mixing, but the extra effort means substantial savings. For example, the Bengal Gold Roach Spray that was discussed on this page, costs about $11 per can for 16 oz of aerosol. while a pint of Talstar Pro costs $24.95 and makes 16 gallons of spray. That's 16 oz compared to 2,048 oz at just over twice the cost of the Bengal product.

Please tell your friends about Ask the Exterminator.

cal
26 Sep 2010, 17:10

Where do they go at night? They seem to disappear around 5:00 pm and they are not in sight in the early morning.

Shawna
28 Sep 2010, 04:10

I live in Bowie, MD and I'm feeling the frustration of everyone on this board. A couple of days ago I discovered that stinkbugs had entered my window through a gap at the top from having my portable AC in. I was horrified to see ten or so stinkbugs inside my room and although I didn't want to touch them I knew I couldn't just pack up and move.

I didn't want to let them out of my sight to get the vacuum so I used tissue and Raid to try to get most of them down. The Raid does nothing of course. I took the AC out even though it's still hot and I proceeded to seal up my windows with duct tape. As I did I would still find an occasional one crawling around and I saw they were still coming in a crack in the window.

It is almost 4 in the morning and I won't be sleeping anymore tonight because my son had an accident in his toddler bed and after I changed the sheets and laid him back down I saw another one crawling on his bed!! I have no idea where it could have came from that fast but now I'm worried there will be some on my bed and I cannot sleep. I don't know how they are still getting in and it worries me. I ordered Talstar P a few days ago so I'm waiting for it to arrive so I can spray the outside of the house and especially my window because I'm sure they Ast still finding their way in from there somehow.
When it does come I hope that I see results like the others on the board have. I tried squirting dawn soap on one that I was getting ready to flush down the toilet and it didn't seem like it was working since he began to flap his wings and try to fly out so I'm gonna give the insecticide a try.

amanda
28 Sep 2010, 22:29

These bugs are the freakin worst. I'm so parinoid I haven't been sleeping right in days. They need to step it up and find a way to get rid of these useless pest asap....

Sophie
29 Sep 2010, 18:14

Northern NJ, 2nd year with them..after reading others comments, I am lucky...I only get about 6-8 per day, both spring and fall. I believe they're coming in through the gas fireplace chimney....
The cats either get them, or I do with a tissue...they're so slow, it's too easy.
The wierd part is, they have never stunk! I've squashed about 75 of them total, and I swear they don't smell. Anyone else like that?

Ian
30 Sep 2010, 00:26

I, like a few others on this site, have found that Windex does work. While it might not kill them it does incapacitate them long enough to snatch em in tissue and give em the big flush ( or take them outside and squish them if I'm feeling particularly vindictive_ and yes Sophie I haven't noticed that they stink much at all). Anyhow, two years ago we were inundated with the things, Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs I believe, and even though I've read they don't reproduce inside I had my doubts. I was killing them all winter long, right through to March at least 10-15 a week and I noticed they were not all the big adults either. Anyhow, one day I noticed a bunch of small ones on a house plant. Well, much as I love plants in the home, I wasn't taking chances. Last year, no plants in house, no bugs. Killed maybe 5 all winter. Hope it is like that this year too, so far so good. Best of luck all ye weary warriors; fight the good fight!

Ask the Exterminator
30 Sep 2010, 08:13

Using Windex is a very expensive way to kill a bug. Compare the cost of a bottle of Windex to a pint of Talstar that makes 16 gallons of product and you'll be shocked.

denise colbert
01 Oct 2010, 00:05

please watch out flushing them down the toilett it will start to smell after you flush to many the toilette bowel will stink get wet paper towel with dawn soap pick them off then put in a sandwich baggie tied shut throw in trash...i have thm in my car after it heats up while driving they are smelling real bad they are burning on the engine im driving with all the windows down ....help !!!!

ZTAK
02 Oct 2010, 02:35

Do you think all the rain recently in the Northeast will eliminate some of the stink bugs?

Ask the Exterminator
02 Oct 2010, 08:28

I think the rain will reduce their activity.

janet
08 Oct 2010, 14:36

I have tried bug spray and mean green and the bugs won't die.They fall to the floor and I step on them.I have never smelled anything bad from them.I don't think these bug have an oder.I know people say that they smell but I found that not to be true.

Richard
09 Oct 2010, 11:48

I place 1-2 inches of a 50/50 mix of dawn and water in a 1 quart size plastic food container (e.g., yogurt container). Dropped into the mixture the bugs are dead in less than a minute. And for bugs on the ceiling, walls or any other places higher than the height of the container, if you hold the container up to the stinkbug they frequently just jump in and commit suicide. For those that don't, a gentle nudge will encourage them to jump in. We keep several containers with their plastic lids on at various locations around the house so they will be at the ready when a bug is spotted. Dump and refresh the mixture periodically.

Patrick Ricketts
10 Oct 2010, 17:32

Dear Katharine,
I’ve been sitting here in speechless at your comment, and wondering if you have changed your mind since May. If not let me fill you in on a few things since you obviously have not done any research before telling everyone to cowboy up. They have destroyed our small, and normally plentiful garden. They have disrupted family functions, climbed into clothing and anywhere else they could find. They may not bite, however they will sting if left un-removed from your body while you’re sleeping. I call them roaches with wings (to be nice about it), and the way they scurry about. So, Katharine, now that there has been 4-5 generations this year do you still feel the same way?
Yes, I feel every thing deserves a chance at life, and they must have found their way to the Ark.
Well, I would be happy to send them to you, however, I killed them with DEMAND CS and I’m a happier man for it. I dealt with them until the middle of September, and it was at that point in time, I would have rather dealt with numerous nests of angry hornets, than the Stink Bug any more. After which I, used 30 tubes of caulking, sealing up every crack I could find. Yes, they died. Yes, I sprayed the house from top to bottom, including the roof and all flashing. Yes they’re still dying 3 weeks later. Yes, I started my research late in the season. Now I’m armed with knowledge and DEMAND CS, next growing season I, plan to kill their unborn offspring before they start feeding on our crops, and yes the crops I’ll deal with organically, even if I must cut off the leaves and burn them.

Lynn
11 Oct 2010, 13:21

I ordered the Talstar-Pro hoping that, since it said for indoor and outdoor use, I could actually spray it inside the house to kill the stink bugs in numbers rather than catching them one at a time. My husband attached the spray nozzle that came with the can and sprayed the outside walls of the house. The product did kill them quickly but the nozzle does not work well at all. The product did not come out in a spary rather in a drizzle that got all over my husband. On top of that, it left big oily stains all over our wooden deck. My husband says he will have to sand the planks and stain the whole deck in the Spring. I'm so glad I didn't try using it inside the house first!

jeffrey
11 Oct 2010, 21:31

i got stink bug juice in my eye it stings really bad and it hurts to keep my eye open. what should i do

Carole
12 Oct 2010, 13:17

It's so un-nerving, I'm uncomfortable sitting in my living room trying to watch TV now. I am constantly on bug patrol and scan the walls and curtins for them all night long. They do emit a strange smell, like something from a plant I guess. I take a baggie and use it like a glove to pick them up, turn it inside out to contain them, smash them inside of it (no smell) fold it up, scotch tape it, and throw it in the garbage. Don't know how else to beat them, as everything written, says the sprays, home remedies, etc. are only temporary. My first encounter with them began this week, and I am very uneasy in my own living room! I think they are entering in thru the fireplace, which is where I sit by. I am wondering if this is seasonal, or a year long problem. I live in Toms River, NJ.

Danny
16 Oct 2010, 15:15

I'm from sanatoga PA and my god its been an invasion this year...im 14 and ive had to kill everything from flys to spiders for my mom and sis but these little freaks are where i draw the line,THEY ACTUALLY FIGHT BACK... i've actually found some more conventional ways of killing them; if you place a cup of alcohol (preferably menthol or methyl) out side or in the room where it is the worse...they usually die as soon as they get in liquor works best... by the way vinegar does nothing and i meen absolutly NOTHING... lighting a math and blowing it out or putting a smoldering twig in an ashtray seems to knock em out. ive tried everything from smushing them to vacuming and even went as far to burn them with corrosive acids...how do we keep them out?! any help against the invasion of the brown menace is greatly appreciated :3

Brian
16 Oct 2010, 15:21

i feel your pain ^ maryland got hit hard PA and NJ did to apparently

jawana
17 Jan 2011, 04:27

My sister lives in md and she has them and I came on this web site for help you all have good answers but talstar pro sounds like the best one so far. I was looking for something organic due to the fact that she has small children. Does anybody know what type of bird or small animals eat these things?

Michelle
05 Feb 2011, 15:30

Wow, I thought it was only me with these little buggers.. And everyone is right..they look at you as if to say, Yeah whats your problem!!!!...I swear I have a stinkbug conspiracy against me because they always jump out at me when I am least expecting it!

Kathy
17 Feb 2011, 21:00

When I woke up this morning I noticed the smell of a stink bug in the air. I scanned the walls knowing there had to be one in there somewhere. Turns out it was on my pillow right next to me! I am always finding them, but this was the first time I found one on my bed. I'm nervous about going to sleep tonight.

Evelyn
20 Feb 2011, 15:22

I live in Western PA, Beaver County.
I clean out my pole lamp in my bathroom everyday. I collect atleast 12-20 Stink bugs aday. Yes they are attracted to light. They are like ants, following the others' scent..straight to their deaths. But if they don't breed in the house..where are they coming from in the middle of winter?? Do you have Photos of their nests? Do they prolong hatching cycle? Doesn't make sense to me.

Ask the Exterminator
20 Feb 2011, 16:39

I've got lots of other articles on stink bugs. Just look up "stink bug" in the search box. They are over-wintering in your attic. The warm temperatures makes them active and looking for ways to get outside. Unfortunately, they end up in your living areas. They are not breeding inside. They lay their eggs on leaves.

Mint
08 Mar 2011, 21:00

If you have plants in your house, do you think they could be laying eggs on the plants?

Ask the Exterminator
09 Mar 2011, 11:58

They don't reproduce indoors.

Paul
31 May 2011, 17:57

Here in Pittsburgh it is a daily occurance. Catch em, flush em. Smells kind of like my uncle Nort. However, that smell used to go away eventually. Not so for these bugs.

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