With the arrival of autumn, you may have noticed small green unwanted guests in your homes. That's right, we're talking about stink bugs! No matter how harmless these insects are to humans, they are merciless to our flowers and spread an extremely unpleasant odor. It probably seems to you that no matter how many stink bugs you catch and throw out, they find a way to come back. However, it is possible to fight them! We know it sounds incredible, but if you're interested in how to defeat them, keep reading.
What are stink bugs?
Stink bugs belong to the family of true bugs, and to date, several thousand different species have been identified. What distinguishes them (besides the characteristic smell – read: stink they release when stepped on or killed) is their appearance. These insects can be up to 1.7 cm long, are most often green, light or dark brown, and their bodies are shield-shaped. They often have various patterns on their wings and abdomen, and such appearance protects them from other insects and predators in nature as it suggests they are poisonous. Although the smell they emit is unpleasant, it is completely harmless.
Stink bug
Stink bugs love warm and moderately dry areas, forests, grass, and vegetation because they feed on plant juices and insects that also inhabit the plants. Additionally, this environment suits them as they lay their eggs on plants. A single female lays over 200 eggs during her life cycle. If it seems impossible to get rid of them, you are partly right! They have no natural enemies and are extremely resourceful in seeking shelter. In winter, they crawl into cracks and can survive up to a year and a half without food. After the colder months and winter pass, they emerge from their hiding places, and it may seem to you that an invasion of these insects has occurred in your home. So, let's see how much damage they can cause you.
How harmful are stink bugs?
The good news is that they are completely harmless! A stink bug will not bite you, and if it does, only mild irritation may occur, which quickly passes. Also, they will not disturb your dogs and cats.
However, you may notice damage to your plants. Since plant juices are their food source, and they also use them to lay eggs, you will notice holes in the leaves.
What stink bugs cause in humans is only discomfort, especially after emerging from hibernation. With the arrival of nice weather and leaving their shelters, stink bugs show mild disorientation. Their flight is therefore random at that time and it seems like they are crashing into our furniture, walls, and windows. The sound they make while flying and landing is particularly irritating, and it is completely understandable why you want to get them out of your house.
3 ways to get rid of stink bugs
Drown them
If stink bugs feel threatened, their first reaction is to drop. You can use this behavior to drown them. Take a wide jar, fill it with warm water. Add soap or detergent to create foam. Then place the jar under the stink bug, and it will likely fall into the water and drown. You can also push it into the jar. Additionally, you can use the same solution of water and soap to spray the windows – it acts dehydrating on stink bugs and will gradually get rid of them.
Vacuum them
Perhaps even easier than trying to lure them into a trap is to vacuum them. Make sure to carefully vacuum around the window frames, doors, around the air conditioning, and the roller blind boxes, as these are places where more stink bugs may be hiding or have laid eggs in those cracks. After vacuuming, immediately dispose of the vacuum bag to prevent the smell from spreading.
Use insecticides – Neopirox against stink bugs
The most effective solution against stink bugs is definitely insecticides, and our recommendation is Neopirox against stink bugs. This product is a true superhero when it comes to fighting stink bugs, but also other insects.
We have created a powerful formulation based on permethrin and piperonyl butoxide, which work together against stink bugs, cockroaches, ants, and ticks, allowing you to get rid of them once and for all and enjoy your home.
Top-notch product against stink bugs
Neopirox against stink bugs is extremely easy to use. Before application, simply mix the appropriate amount of concentrate and water, and then spray the surfaces where you have noticed stink bugs, as well as around doors and windows.
Take control of your space and order Neopirox against stink bugs:
How to prevent a re-infestation of stink bugs?
After you have successfully gotten rid of stink bugs, you should take several steps to prevent them from appearing again. Remember: when you notice just a few stink bugs in the house, it means there are many more (and more!) hiding and waiting for the right moment to come out. Here’s what you need to do to prevent the next infestation:
Seal cracks in the walls
Since cracks are their shelter, stink bugs are masters at finding them. So after you get rid of them, start inspecting your house and sealing all potential entry points.
Mosquito nets can be useful
Install mosquito nets
One way to prevent them from entering your space is by installing mosquito nets. You will be able to ventilate your home without worrying about which insect will fly in and start disturbing your peace.
Eliminate their food
Stink bugs are also attracted to your food scraps. After grocery shopping, store everything in the refrigerator, packed in appropriate containers. Regularly empty trash cans so that odors from the bin do not attract them.
Check your plants
Plants are both a natural habitat and food for stink bugs and a place where they lay eggs. Regularly check if any flowers are nibbled or if stink bugs have laid their eggs.
