Best Ways to Get Rid of Stink Bugs - Stink Bugs NJ

Best Ways to Get Rid of Stink Bugs - Stink Bugs NJ

If you’ve never seen a stink bug, you’ll know it by its signature antennae striping appearing along the abdomen. It has five sides, is green or brown in color, and features a shield-shaped body only measuring about 3/4 of an inch long. There are 4,700 species of stink bugs globally and 250 of those reside in the U.S. and Canada. Stink bugs smell VERY BAD – especially if you threaten them or squash them. They tend to emit a foul odor when frightened, disturbed or squished in a tissue.

You may think you can just vacuum them up but beware: once that odor is in your vacuum, it stays for a long time. If you have no alternative but to vacuum them up, use a shop vac and empty it outside right away.

Some stink bugs come out in spring, while other species prefer the cooler weather of fall. You’ll see them hovering on the sides of homes to get warm. They’ll eventually find their way into your home through cracks and holes, making a beeline for attics, crawl spaces, and inside walls.

They’re hibernate all winter, then come out of hiding in the spring when the weather is nice. While they do try very hard to find an exit, they sometimes get stuck or confused and need help.

Prevention is the best way to deal with stink bugs because once they enter your home, they’re very difficult to get out. Heed these tips to make sure they stay out:

• Check doors and windows for cracks and torn screens. Make repairs as needed.
• Ensure your weather stripping properly seals gaps under exterior doors.
• Check that your attic and crawl space vents don’t feature torn or missing screens.
• Remove wall and window air conditioners at the end of summer.
• Don’t leave fruits, vegetables and legumes lying around. This is what stink bugs like to feast on. They’re not picky though, as they feed on weeds and tree leaves even when treated with insecticides.

Is it too late? Do you already spot stink bugs in your home? Here’s what to do:

• Gently sweep them up with a dustpan and release them outside.
• Try a natural repellent spray. Combine 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and 16 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Spray this mixture around doorways, windows and entryways.
• Suck them up with a shop vac but be sure to empty the bag outside immediately so they can’t make their way back out.
• Contact a pest control professional to get rid of the bugs effectively and properly as well as come up with a plan to prevent invasion from happening again.

A professional exterminator is the best way to control the invasion of stink bugs in your home. Call Cavanaugh’s Professional Termite and Pest Services at one of our three locations in Flanders at 973-584-2552, Somerville at 908-730-6565 or Freehold at 800-362-2282.

Stink Bugs NJ | Stink Bugs Monmouth County