The Illinois Department of Agriculture shares how to keep stink bugs from getting into your home
(KBSI) – Have you noticed stink bugs in your house?
Colder temperatures can cause bugs to want to come inside where its warm. Specifically stink bugs.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture shares what you can do if you find these harmless but pesky creatures in your home.
These shield shaped bugs are actually called marmorated stink bugs. They are native to China and first made their debut in the US in the late 90s.
They feed on the Midwestern landscape.
“The ‘stink’ is a defense mechanism. So don’t smash them and avoid disturbing them too much,” said Scott Schirmer, Nursery and Northern Field Office Section Manager with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “They are a nuisance, but stink bugs will not kill indoor plants or harm anything else indoors. Chances are you don’t even notice most of them that make their way inside.”
Homeowners might see them in large amounts on screen doors or windows and find them in unexpected places throughout the house. Pesticides should not be sprayed in the home. Sprays are not effective in killing the bugs and leave residue that fails to control the pest.
Sprays are not effective in killing the bugs and leave residue that fails to control the pest.
Instead, the U of I Extension offers the following tips to control stink bugs at home:
- Use a vacuum to suck up adults or drop them in soapy water.
- Take steps in early fall to caulk cracks and crevices around the house.
- Prevent movement in from the outside by repairing windows and putting on door sweeps.
