How to Stop Stink Bugs Invading Indiana Homes This Fall

It's that time of year again when stink bugs are preparing to invade your home. Here are some tips and DIY home remedies to get rid of them.

It won't be much longer until this brutal Indiana summer comes to an end. Then, it's officially fall season, and you know what that means: colder weather, bonfires, pumpkin spice, apple cider, and soups. However, it also means that it is the official return of the dreaded stink bugs. Sooner or later, these pests will sneak into your house and try to live rent-free. Some folks I know have already spotted them in their Indiana homes. So it's a good time to issue a friendly reminder about things like why they are invading your home, and most importantly, how to get rid of them. Before we dive into how to get rid of stink bugs, it's important to know why they are in your house, what attracts them, and where they are commonly found inside.

Why Stink Bugs Invade Indiana Homes

Stink bugs live year-round. In the summer, the temperature is warm enough for stink bugs to live comfortably outdoors. As the weather begins to cool during late summer and early fall, they will tend to seek shelter in your home to keep warm. Official stink bug season is considered the end of summer through the fall until it gets too cold for the bugs to survive outside. That's when they become an unwelcome guest in your home.

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How Do Stink Bugs Get in Your House?

According to Orkin.com, they gain entry into structures through cracks, crevices, gaps, and holes in foundations, window and door frames, soffits, attics, and underneath siding. If those aren't properly sealed, these pests will be barging into your home before you know it.

Don't crush them!!!

First things first. Your natural instinct when you see these insects in your home might be to crush them. These things are called "stink bugs" for a reason, folks. When you see them in your house, don't crush them. Whenever these insects are threatened or crushed, they give off this nasty odor as a defense mechanism to keep predators away...or in this case, to annoy homeowners.

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How To Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Your House

Obviously you don't want them in your house. So, take the proper percautions to keep them out. Seal up any cracks or seams on your doors and windows to let the bugs know that they aren't welcome in your home!

According to Orkin.com, an easy way to get rid of them is by vacuuming them up. However, it would work best if you have one of those vacuums with a removable bag because if not, your vacuum will have that dreaded stink bug smell for quite some time. Most people don't have that type of vacuum anymore, so that might not be the best option for you. Of course, If you only have a couple roaming around in your house, you could remove them with a paper towel or tissue and place them in an outdoor recepacle. However, I have found some DIY home remedies to get rid of these pests inside your home.

Home Remedies For Stink Bugs

Garlic Spry Mix

Apparently, stink bugs HATE the smell of garlic. If you can stand the smell, this is said to work well:

4 teaspoons garlic
2 cups of water
Spray bottle

Whole Cloves

Simply go to the grocery store and buy some whole cloves from the spice aisle. Place a few cloves inside windows and doorways throughout your house. Stink bugs will be turned off by the odor and find somewhere else to invade.

Soap Spry Mix

Get yourself a spray bottle
Pour in 2 tablespoons of blue Dawn dish soap
Fill with water

Spray this mixture all over your outside doors and windows, or any cracks/holes you might have around the outside of your home. Stink bugs hate the smell! Repeat every two or three days for best results.

Mint Spray Mix

This is the same idea as the Garlic Spray Mix, it will just make your home smell more desirable for you and less for stink bugs.

2 cups of water
10 drops Mint Oil or 2 tsp ground mint leaves
Spray bottle

Mothballs

Toss some mothballs in your attic and other areas where they might gather. The odor will make them think twice about entering your home uninvited.

Hopefully, these DIY home remedies will help you get rid of stink bugs in your home quickly. If the pests become too out of control, it's probably a good idea to contact your local exterminator to handle the situation.

Oh, and if you have a fruit fly or gnat problem, I found a pretty good home remedy to get rid of them too. You can check that out by clicking here.

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