Stink bugs are disgusting, plain and simple. The nasty, diamond-shaped critters, which are technically called brown marmorated stink bugs, can crawl in through open windows, pipes, and even unsealed wall cracks. When they arrive, they seem to do so by the dozen—that's why you might have so many in your house at once. No matter how they get in, figuring out how to get rid of stink bugs is the real challenge. Luckily, these little pests aren't harmful to you, your pets, or your home, but they are called stink bugs for a reason: They release a gross sulfurous smell when you crush them.
If you're reading this, you've probably seen some stink bugs around the house and want to kill them without making it smell like rotten eggs. So we're not going to waste any time. Ahead, you'll find six steps that explain exactly how to get rid of stink bugs as well as tips to keep them away, including minor home repairs and natural repellents. These strategies will actually help prevent all sorts of unwanted pests from invading your home, including fruit flies, house flies, and all types of cockroaches.
Seal Entry Points
It's probably difficult to figure out where exactly the little buggers are coming in, but that's exactly why you should seal off any and all potential entry points. It could be a screen window or door, a crack in the countertop, or really any hole or niche. Stink bugs can squeeze into really small spaces. According to Orkin, they most often sneak in through "cracks, crevices, gaps and holes in foundations, window and door frames, soffits, attics, and underneath siding." So adequate sealing with clear silicon is a must. Pay extra attention to entry areas near fruit trees, gardens, or other agricultural hot spots, since they tend to attract stink bugs.
More From House Beautiful
Tidy Up the Kitchen
If you've just been using chip clips, you might want to reassess and switch to airtight food storage containers. Food attracts stink bugs in your house just like other pests. The goal is to make it harder for stink bugs to survive and thrive once they're in your home, so eliminating their access to food will make it less appealing to them. Trust us, you don't want to find a stink bug in your brown rice or tortilla chips.
Keep Moisture Levels Down
Super-humid places with water buildup or poor ventilation are considered breeding grounds for stink bugs. Moisture attracts stink bugs in your house too. So dry it up, whether that means investing in a great dehumidifier or fixing a leaky faucet. You can also temporarily tape over any emergency drainage points if you think they're coming in through the drain.
Get an Essential Oil Diffuser
Certain essential oil scents can help repel stink bugs, but they don't kill them. No scent kills stink bugs. According to a 2013 research study published in Journal of Applied Entomology, "all the tested individual essential oils and a ternary oil blend showed significant repellency to both BMSB nymphs and adults." The study found the most effective essential oils to get rid stink bugs are pure clove oil, lemongrass oil, spearmint oil, and ylang-ylang. Less effective but still helpful options include wintergreen oil, geranium oil, pennyroyal oil, and rosemary oil, which showed a 60 to 85 percent reduction in stink bug attraction to a bait trap.
Turn Off Your Lights at Night
Like most insects, stink bugs are drawn to lights. If you keep your porch light (or any light for that matter, once they get their way inside) on after dark, they'll flock to it. The simple answer? Turn off the lights or put them on a motion detection timer so they turn on only when someone walks by—that's more energy efficient and cost-effective anyway.
Remove and Release
You may feel compelled to but don't step on or crush stink bugs the way you might other creepy-crawlies. Remember, getting smashed is what releases their revolting stench. You can trap a stink bug in a cup (just put it on top and slide a piece of paper underneath) and release it outside or sweep or vacuum them away. If you use a vacuum, just make sure to replace the vacuum bag and throw the used one out or empty the dust bin right away.
Products to Help You Get Rid of Stink Bugs:
Healing Solutions Ylang Ylang Essential Oil
Public Goods Lemon Essential Oil
Defiant Motion-Sensing Security Light
Planetary Design Glass Food Containers
crate and barrel Pure Enrichment PureDry Deluxe Dehumidifier
EiR NYC Natural Bug Repellent
Dyson Stick Vacuum Cleaner
Bluefeel Montanc Rechargeable Mini Vacuum
Pestie Yearly Subscription
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
Hadley Mendelsohn is the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.
Kate McGregor is House Beautiful’s SEO Editor. She has covered everything from curated decor round-ups and shopping guides, to glimpses into the home lives of inspiring creatives, for publications such as ELLE Decor, Domino, and Architectural Digest’s Clever.
