Stink Bug Control

Stink bugs are flying insects belonging to the Pentatomidae family of the order Hemiptera. As the name goes, stink bugs are armored with a gland which secretes a foul-smelling liquid from the gland located between the first and second pair of legs. Releasing this liquid is a form of self defense mechanism applied by the bug to protect itself from the attack of predators. The stinking smell is also a warning sign for other stink bugs to beware of the predator. Stink bugs are gray, brown, blue and black in color. They are about half an inch in size.

Stink bugs are pests which you can find thriving in the garden, meadows, crop fields and flower beds. As stink bugs are attracted towards lights, they can trespass your homes making your life miserable. When your house and garden is stinking with stink bugs getting rid of them as quickly as possible is the only option left. So let's find out some effective measures one can take for stink bug control.

Pest Control Measures

Though these little pests are harmless for humans, they can damage garden crops, suck the juice from the fruit and most importantly cause a filthy odor which can drive you nuts.

Pesticides
Some pesticides and fertilizers available in the market can help. Some insect repellent products can also help, but in most cases the waxy coating of the stink bugs makes it difficult for the poison to enter the stink bug. For this you can take help of licensed pest controller who may use strong organic pesticides. The products are also available in the market. But use of some highly toxic substances may do more harm than good, so natural methods should be relied on.

Restricting the Entry
Restricting the entry of stink bugs is the best thing one can do to avoid further discomfort. Firstly, if there are any cracks and openings in the house, you can consider caulking. As stink bugs are attracted by the light in the house, using screens for doors and windows can be a good idea. Tinted windows can also help to reduce the amount of light reflection. Along with this, reduce the amount of usage of outdoor lights. Spraying insect repellent solutions in small amounts can also help in avoiding the entry of stink bugs.

Vacuum Cleaner and Soapy Water
When you notice any of the bugs, using a vacuum cleaner is a good option because if you start killing them by a whack of a cardboard or newspaper the foul odor emitted after that will leave you bugged. So vacuum the bugs and throw the bag at a good distance from the house. If this doesn't work, take a soapy or detergent solution of water, wear gloves and toss the bugs into the bucket. If you find stink bugs on the outside walls of the house, you can spray water with force, it will get rid of them.

Nicotine Water Solution
Put your cigarettes to some good use. Prepare nicotine water by shredding 10-12 cigarettes in half a gallon of warm water. Let the solution dissolve for sometime and then filter it and add detergent powder to the filtrate. Dissolve it well and fill this solution in to a spray. Spraying this will poison and kill the stink bugs.

Sometimes pesticides can be harmful to your crops or garden plants. So vegetables and fruits should be thoroughly washed before consuming. Seek help from a professional, if the stink bugs are increasing rapidly.