how to get rid of stink bugs in the garden

Has this ever happened to you: You're gazing out the window when you spot a creepy brown bug that looks similar something from a sci-fi action thriller clinging to your screen. If the critter in question has a broad, shield-shaped trunk with stripes around the edges and on the antennae, long legs, and a comparatively tiny head, you may have a stink issues on your easily.

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The brown marmorated stink bug (Eocanthecona furcellata) or but "stink bug" for short, is an invasive pest that is native to China. It was first discovered in the U.s.a. in the late 1990s, in the land of Pennsylvania. Stinkbugs have since spread to 40 states, too as parts of Canada, though they are still nearly plentiful in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, and Delaware.

Stink bugs range in size from half an inch to an inch in size, only their most notable characteristic is the one that gives them their name. When stink bugs are frightened, disturbed, or killed by crushing, they emit a pungent odor that some describe equally skunk-similar. Some say information technology smells like the leafage of tomato plants.

Stink bugs are becoming an increasingly problematic agronomical pest—the herbivorous insects inject their sharp, pointy mouths into fruit and other crops, leaving backside rotted areas that brand them unviable for sale as fresh produce.

To the average homeowner, though, stink bugs are by and large harmless. They practise not cause whatever structural or other harm and, unlike roaches, ants, and other common household pests, stink bugs are solitary creatures and exercise non travel in colonies. While y'all may discover a group of stinkbugs together in a garden, these are simply individuals drawn to the same food source.

Spring and Fall Pests

Stink bugs emerge in the spring to feed and reproduce. Late July and Baronial are the about mutual times to see damage to plants. And in the autumn, as the weather turns colder, the bugs kickoff invading homes in search of a warm place to spend the winter. Stink bugs typically get together on warm, due west-facing walls and enter buildings via cracks and crevices.

Just they have been seen at all times of the year, in all regions.

Go Rid of Stink Bugs In Your Abode

And so what do yous do if you encounter a stink bug, and how do yous keep them out? Here'due south a quick primer:

If you find a stink issues, or a few, in your home, do not panic. They are harmless to humans, structures, and fabrics. Whatever you lot do, do not crush a stink bug. As its name suggests, a threatened or crushed stinkbug volition release an unpleasant, skunky smell. The easiest manner to get rid of stink bugs is to vacuum them up. If you have a Store-Vac or a little-used spare vacuum yous keep in a garage, apply it to forbid the smell from infiltrating your home. Be sure to supercede the bag immediately, or clean out a bagless model with vinegar.

Some people similar to catch stink bugs and flush them down the toilet. While effective, this method also results in a lot of wasted water if used too oft.

Keeping Stink Bugs Out

To keep stink bugs from invading your home in the first identify, brand sure everything is sealed up well. Fill in cracks around windows, doors, siding, utility pipes, chimneys, and underneath fascia with skilful quality silicone or silicone-latex caulk. Repair or replace damaged screens on doors and windows.
Sprinkle food-form diatomaceous earth both inside and outside, targeting areas where they may exist getting in (windows, doorways). It acts as a natural, abrasive barrier to itch insects and is harmless to humans and pets.
Stink bugs are repelled by garlic. Trounce a few garlic cloves and put in a dish on a windowsill and at entryways.

Get Rid of Stink Bugs In The Garden

While stink bugs pose no real threat to homeowners, they can be incredibly destructive pests for farmers and gardeners. They feed on a wide range of tree fruits and seed pods as well as many vegetables including tomatoes, peppers, beans, and sugariness corn.
To keep stink bugs from devouring your garden, you tin purchase commercial stink bug traps that will capture developed stink bugs. Planting sunflowers and marigolds will also assist past attracting beneficial insects that volition eat stink issues eggs and larva.
Sprinkle food-grade diatomaceous earth beneath growing watermelon, cantaloupe, squash and all fruits and vegetables resting on the footing, besides as on establish leaves.
Stink bugs also dislike the smell of mint. Consider planting it in your garden, or crushing a few leaves and scattering them around the base of other plants.
While the above remedies are deterrents, y'all can also make a solution of mild soapy water with dish soap, and spray straight on the bugs to kill them.

Is It A Stink Bug? Meet The Lookalikes

Macro photography - Stock photography — The Western Conifer Seed Bug has a long body and flies.

Squash bugs and Western Conifer Seed Bugs are frequently confused with stink bugs. Here'south how to tell them apart. Additionally, many people report getting "chip' by stink bugs but this is highly unlikely. True marmorated stink bugs' mouth aren't designed for bitter. The only food source they're interested in is plant cloth and aught related to mammals.

Jaime McLeod

Jaime McLeod is a longtime announcer who has written for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, and websites, including MTV.com. She enjoys the outdoors, growing and eating organic food, and is interested in all aspects of natural wellness.