How to Get Rid of Annoying Stink Bugs From Your Michigan Home

If you've noticed one too many unwelcome bugs in your home recently, you're not the only one. Their brown shield-shaped bodies and antennae are more than common in Michigan households. Yes, we're talking about those big annoying stink bugs.

If it feels like stink bugs have only become a problem in recent years, you'd be correct. According to HGTV, stink bugs are said to have arrived on our shores in the Nineties after hitching a ride in shipping containers from China.

Stink bugs are nothing more than annoying insects that somehow find a way into your home. As far as humans are concerned, they're harmless.

Why Do We See So Many Stink Bugs in the Spring?

Once they find a cozy spot in your home leading into winter, they release pheromones, chemical signals that call out to more stink bugs to join the party. So, when temps start to rise in the spring, they try to find a way out.

Don't Smash Stink Bugs

They're called stink bugs for a reason. When they feel threatened, they unleash a nasty odor that is sometimes compared to rotting fruit or almonds, cilantro, and dirty socks. Let's just say, it's not pleasant.

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

1. Seal Entry Points: Inspect your home for any gaps, cracks, or openings where stink bugs could enter. They always sneak in through a bad seal on my sliding patio door. Use caulk or weather stripping to prevent them from getting inside.
2. Use a Vacuum Cleaner: When you spot stink bugs, use a vacuum cleaner and suck them up. Empty the canister right way to prevent that nasty odor from spreading.
3. Trap Them: Set up homemade traps using a light source (maybe a night light) and a container filled with soapy water. Stink bugs are attracted to light, so place the trap near windows, your TV, or other entry points. They're always walking on or near my TV which is super annoying. When they land on the light source, they may fall into the soapy water and drown.
4. Remove Vegetation: Stink bugs are attracted to vegetation, so consider removing or trimming plants close to your home. This can help reduce the number of stink bugs in your vicinity.
5. Apply Insecticides: Insecticides labeled for stink bugs can be applied around the perimeter of your home to create a barrier.
6. Use Natural Repellents: Some natural remedies, such as garlic or mint oil sprays, may repel stink bugs. You can create a homemade spray by mixing these essential oils with water and spraying it around entry points.