Have you ever tried to kill stink bugs? If you’ve tried to kill them the old-fashioned way, by trying to swat or swat them, then you must know firsthand how off-putting the process of killing them can be to your olfactory senses. Whether you can successfully kill them or they somehow manage to flee your wrath, you may have to experience the stink bug’s self-defense mechanism firsthand.
If you’ve ever smelled the noxious odor these little critters give off whenever they’re startled or attacked, you might be inclined to think twice about trying to kill them this way next time. As a result, trying to kill stink bugs can present a host of logistical challenges. It requires a certain degree of ingenuity, as you have to plan how to kill them in such a way as to contain them before they can release that scent.
The odor they release is not in itself harmful to humans. It is more of a nuisance, which is enough to act as a deterrent against most predators in the wild.
How NOT to kill stink bugs
As mentioned above, one method you definitely don’t want to employ is to completely squash them. You also don’t want to use a kill method that leaves them exposed in such a way that if they can cast the ability to release that scent, they do so right before they die. Instead, you should do everything you can to contain the bug so that the scent can’t be released into the air.
Another common solution most people turn to when dealing with serious insect infestations in their homes is the use of pesticide sprays. While commercial sellers of these products will tout their effectiveness in killing bugs and keeping your home safe from future infestations of them, the fact is that pesticides can often do more harm than good. They can produce unintended consequences. Pesticides are bad for the environment. They are toxic to household pets. And obviously, if you have babies and young children in the house, you don’t want them near areas of the house that have been treated with some kind of insect repellant. That is not a smart solution.
What is the great stink about smell?
So what exactly is the problem with the smell that these insects give off? If it is not harmful to humans or animals in any way, nor is it lethal even to its predators (in the same way that the scent a skunk releases is annoying at best and not lethal to any of its predators), so why bother going through the pains of trying to avoid the scent while trying to exterminate them? Why not endure the stench while you crush them?
Your mileage may vary, but there’s a reason these insects were gifted with the stink weapon as their primary and only means of self-defense. That’s enough of a dig to scare off almost any predator, and that includes humans.
You wouldn’t want to stay near a skunk, would you? If you spend too much time in the presence of a skunk, its scent could literally permeate your skin, clothing, and possessions.
So… What will kill stink bugs then?
There are a host of “homeopathic” ways to kill these bugs without having to call an exterminator, use bug spray, or swat them. In fact, there are many ways to kill, repel, and drive them away without coming into close contact with them, handling them, or becoming the target of their stink bombs. .
Some of the most popular do-it-yourself, non-toxic, low-cost (or free) extermination solutions include the following:
Dishes soap
Yes, believe it or not, dish soap is perhaps one of the most powerful and cost effective means of killing stink bugs. No need to go out and spend money on expensive bug spray and other pesticides. A good old fashioned dishwashing liquid is enough to do the trick.
All you have to do is stay armed and ready with a spray bottle filled with dish soap. When you see a stink bug, simply reach for the spray bottle and then gear up, aim and shoot. A few squirts is all it will take to paralyze and stop the stink bug in its tracks.
If you don’t believe me, try it yourself! You will see how effective it really is.
One word of advice though: be sure to aim for the stink bug’s belly if possible. Aiming for its back, where the insect’s “armored shield” is located, is not as effective, as this “shield” tends to provide some measure of protection for the insect.
So there you have it! You can keep your dishes clean and get rid of stink bugs in one go!
hair spray
Like dish soap, hair spray is another extremely powerful weapon against stink bugs. And the principle is the same. If you see a stink bug, just grab your bottle of hairspray, shake it well before using it (just kidding about this part, not sure if you need to shake it well before using it as a bug extermination tool instead of try to do your hair), aim and shoot the spray at the insect.
A few sprays should do the trick. The first two sprays will simply paralyze them. But a few more should be enough to kill them.
And of course try to target your underbelly as this would be the most convenient place to get the job done the fastest.
lemon juice and vinegar
Believe it or not, lemon juice mixed with vinegar is another powerful, natural pesticide for stink bugs. It turns out that the high level of acidity found in these two fluids is enough to stop stink bugs in their tracks. It’s okay to mix a little water with these to increase the amount of spray. But don’t put too much, lest you dilute the effectiveness of the mixture.
Put it in a spray bottle and shoot.
Stink Bug Elimination
Once you kill a stink bug, how should you get rid of it?
You can flush dead stink bugs down the toilet, or if that’s not an option for you, it’s a good idea to pick them up carefully so you don’t crush them. If you crush them, you may risk compressing the puffs through which they release their characteristic scent. If you have access to a plastic sandwich bag, it may be a good idea to place the stink bug carcass in the bag and seal it before disposing of it. This will also prevent it from being compressed in the trash and thus inadvertently releasing the stench.
A more “hands-off” approach to killing stink bugs
You can also try to get rid of them without killing them outright, if getting close to a stink bug to spray it is something you find disgusting. There are cleaner, easier, less complicated, and more “hands-off” approaches, like these two below:
bed bug traps
You can always set out bed bug traps that are designed to attract and then trap bed bugs, and in the process kill them on contact, keep them trapped until they die of dehydration or starvation, or keep them alive until you walk by and dispose of or release them from the receptacle they’re in. has caught.
sucking it
When in doubt, if the mere idea of getting within a few inches (or a few feet) of a stink bug scares or disgusts you, then your best option would be to use a vacuum cleaner with a long extension hose to suck it up. Hopefully, the stink bug will suffocate within the confines of the vacuum bag (or bagless compartment, amid all the dirt and dust). And you can empty the vacuum cleaner in the trash whenever you want. And for those of you who are extremely paranoid about bugs, the chances of the stink bug somehow escaping the vacuum or staying alive for too long in there are pretty slim.
Micro-deforestation
If you live on a property with a large number of trees and shrubs, you may want to determine if stink bugs have made this vegetation your home. One thing we know for sure is that stink bugs lay eggs and attach them to the undersides of leaves. And so when they hatch and look for a warm, warm place, especially at night or during the spring and fall months, they may all come to the windows of your house.
If you own the property, you may want to seriously consider cutting down some of the trees or bushes near your home where you suspect stink bugs might be living. This attempted micro-clearing can help prevent what might otherwise have been a chronic source of new stink bugs seeking refuge en masse in your home.
The bottom line is that stink bugs are a nuisance and, in fact, they are, without a doubt, a bear to kill. Their population appears to be increasing, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. While the government is aware of the stink bug population crisis, these insects are not going away any time soon. They’ve managed to come aboard our shores from abroad over the past two decades, and now they’re here to stay.
We have to learn to deal with them in the way that is most convenient. And that might mean educating ourselves a little better on the best ways to kill bed bugs and prevent them from invading our homes.