October 10, 2024, 10:49 am | Read time: 4 minutes
When it gets cooler outside in the fall, stink bugs look for a warm place to hide. They usually find this in our homes, crawling through window cracks and nesting inside. But there are ways to prevent this from happening in the first place.
As it gets colder and colder outside, we make ourselves comfortable in the warmth of our homes. But it’s not just us humans who are drawn to the warmth. Stink bugs also begin their search for a warm and dry place in the fall to survive the winter. A single female stink bug lays up to 450 eggs. The larvae hatch after a few days and, due to the long summer, can reproduce within the same year. Here, you’ll learn how to get rid of these uninvited guests and prevent their intrusion.
Overview
How can you recognize stink bugs?
According to Nabu, the green stink bug (Palomena prasina) is one of the most common domestic bug species. It is easily recognized by its green carapace, though it turns brown in the autumn. This makes the insects, which grow to around 12 to 14 millimeters in size, harder to spot. In the following spring, the color reverts to green for enhanced protection against predators.
How do stink bugs get into the home?
As the cold season approaches, stink bugs seek shelter from the cold, for example, in cracks in walls, gaps, and holes. The insects also find shelter in balcony boxes, flower pots, and coasters. Roller shutter boxes and other dry indoor spaces are also popular targets.
Why do stink bugs stink?
Stink bugs stink when they feel threatened. They release the unpleasant-smelling secretion from their abdomen to drive away enemies. For this reason, it is better not to kill them in the home. The pungent odor can linger on clothes, hands, or in the air for days.
Are stink bugs dangerous?
Stink bugs can quickly become a problem in the home. While they are not a health risk to humans, it’s preferable to keep these pests out of your home. Their name says it all.
How do you get rid of stink bugs?
You should never touch stink bugs, let alone crush them. If a stink bug has crept into your home, the best way to get rid of it is the gentle way. The first step is to open the windows. This gives the bug a chance to find its own way out. However, if the bug does not move from the spot, you can help with a piece of paper. Simply push it gently under the insect, put a glass over it, and then let it out.
Can you vacuum stink bugs with a vacuum cleaner?
Caution is advised if you want to suck up stink bugs with a vacuum cleaner. The suction may cause the bug to rupture and release its odor. This is then quickly blown out of the vacuum cleaner along with the exhaust air and spreads throughout the room.
In any case, you should change the vacuum cleaner bag after use and dispose of the old bag in the garbage can straight away. For bagless models, thoroughly wash the dust container after emptying its contents into the garbage can.
How can you prevent stink bugs?
The number one gateway for bugs is open windows. As a preventative measure, you can install a fly screen. Although the view may be obstructed, this measure provides effective and gentle insect protection.
What natural methods are there?
Window sills, joints, cracks, or masonry can also be sprayed as a preventative measure. The best approach is to use a homemade natural insecticide. Suitable for this:
- Soapy water: mix 500 milliliters of warm water with a little soft soap or washing-up liquid in a spray bottle
- Garlic spray: Mix 500 milliliters of water with 4 teaspoons of garlic powder
- Neem oil spray: Mix 500 milliliters of warm water with two teaspoons of neem oil
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Why should you avoid chemicals?
The use of insect sprays indoors should be avoided wherever possible. The active ingredients in these sprays, called biocides, can significantly pollute indoor air and pose health risks. The Federal Environment Agency explains that fine droplets are formed when spraying, which are then inhaled.
Incidentally, ladybugs are also seeking a winter home in the fall. However, they should not be driven away. Ladybugs feed on aphids, spider mites, and bugs.