Have you ever tried to kill stink bugs? If you’ve tried to kill them the old-fashioned way, trying to smash or crush them, then you must know firsthand how unpleasant the process of killing them can be to your olfactory senses. Whether you can successfully kill them or they somehow manage to run away from your anger, you may have to experience the stink bug’s self-defense mechanism firsthand.
If you’ve ever caught the noxious odor these little buggers give off when they’re scared or attacked, then 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 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’s 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 smash them completely. You also don’t want to use an extermination method that leaves them exposed in such a way that, if they are able to invoke the ability to release that scent, they will do so just before they die. Rather, you want to do everything you can to contain the bug so the smell doesn’t get released into the air.
Another common solution most people turn to when it comes to severe insect infestations in their homes is the use of pesticide sprays. While commercial suppliers of these products will do their best to exterminate insects and keep your home safe from future infestations, the fact is that pesticides can often do more harm than good. They can have unintended consequences. Pesticides are bad for the environment. They are toxic to domestic pets. And obviously, if you have babies and young children in the house, you don’t want them to go near areas of the house that were treated with any kind of insect repellent. That is not a smart solution.
What is the great stench of the smell?
So what exactly is the problem of the smell that these insects emanate? 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 released by a skunk is annoying at best and is not lethal to any of its predators ), so why bother going through the pains of trying to avoid the smell while trying to exterminate them? Why not put up with the stench while you crush them?
Their mileage may vary, but there is a reason why these insects were gifted with the stench weapon as their primary and only means of self-defense. It is a sufficient deterrent to scare away any predator, and that includes humans.
You wouldn’t want to stay near a skunk, would you? If you spend too long in the presence of a skunk, then its scent could literally permeate your skin, clothing, and possessions.
So … what will kill the stink bugs then?
There are a myriad of “homeopathic” ways to kill these bugs without calling an exterminator, using bug sprays, or squashing them. In fact, there are many ways to kill, repel and drive them away without having to be in direct contact with them, without having to handle them, or without having to become the target of their stink bombs. .
Some of the more popular, non-toxic, inexpensive (or free) do-it-yourself 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. You don’t have to go out and spend money on expensive bug sprays and other pesticides. A good old-fashioned dishwashing liquid is enough to do the trick.
All you have to do is keep yourself armed and ready with a spray bottle filled with dish soap. When you see a stink bug, just grab the spray bottle and then get ready, aim and shoot. A few jets is all it will take to paralyze and stop the stink bug in its tracks.
If you don’t believe me, try this yourself! You will see how effective it really is.
One word of advice though: be sure to target the stink bug’s belly if possible. Aiming at 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.
There you have it! You can keep your dishes clean and get rid of stink bugs in one go!
Hair spray
Like dish soap, hairspray is another extremely powerful weapon against bed bugs. And the principle is the same. If you see a stink bug, just grab your hairspray bottle, shake well before use (just kidding about this part, not sure if you need to shake well before using as a bug killing tool instead of trying do it your hair), aim and shoot the spray at the insect.
A few sprays should do the trick. The first couple of sprays will just 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 faster.
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 do not put too much, lest the effectiveness of the mixture be diluted.
Put it in a spray bottle and shoot.
Stink bug removal
Once you kill a stink bug, how do you get rid of it?
You can flush dead stink bugs down the toilet, or if that’s not an option for you, it is advisable that when you pick them up, you do so carefully so as not to squash them. If you crush them, you may run the risk of compressing the glands through which they release their characteristic odor. If you have access to a plastic sandwich bag, it may be a good idea to put 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 eliminating stink bugs
You can also try to get rid of them without killing them directly, if getting close to a stink bug to spray it is something that disgusts you. There are cleaner, easier, less complicated, and more practical approaches, like these two below:
Stink Bug Traps
You can always install stink bug traps that are designed to attract and then trap them, and in the process, kill them on contact, keep them stuck until they die of dehydration or starvation, or keep them alive until you come in and dispose of them or release them from the receptacle in the who has entered them.
Sucking it
When in doubt, if the mere thought of getting within a few inches (or a few feet) of a stink bug scares or disgusts you, then your best bet would be to use a vacuum cleaner with a long extension hose to suck them up. Hopefully, the stink bug will suffocate within the confines of the vacuum bag (or the bagless compartment, amid all the other dirt and dust). And you can empty the vacuum 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 from the vacuum or staying alive for a long time are pretty slim.
Microdeforestation
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 underside of leaves. So when they hatch and look for a warm and warm place, especially at night, or during the spring and fall months, they may all go to the windows of your house.
If you own the property, you may want to seriously consider cutting down some of the trees or shrubs near your home where you suspect stink bugs may be dwelling. This attempted microdeforestation can help prevent what might otherwise have been a chronic source of new stink bugs seeking refuge in your home in droves.
The bottom line is that stink bugs are a nuisance and, in fact, they are undoubtedly a bear to kill. Its population appears to be on the rise, particularly in the Western Hemisphere. While the government is aware of the stink bug population crisis, these bugs are not going anywhere anytime soon. They managed to get aboard our shores from abroad in the last two decades, and now they are here to stay.
We have to learn to deal with them in the most convenient way. And that could mean educating ourselves a little better about the best ways to kill stink bugs and prevent them from invading our homes.