Are stink bugs crawling back inside your WA home? Here are tips on how to deal with them
Earlier this year, we asked readers in a survey if their houses had been infested by the infamous brown marmorated stink bug and what they do to get rid of them.
The invasive bug, originally from Asia, first arrived in Washington state about a decade ago. Ever since, the insects have found warm refuge in people’s homes every fall and winter. As temperatures slowly start to warm, the insects decide it’s time to crawl out from their hiding spots and reveal themselves to the world.
We wanted to know where readers find the pesky insects and how often you see them, non-toxic ways of getting rid of them, and tips and tricks on keeping them out of your house for the future. More than 90 people sent in responses about their stink bug experiences. Here’s what they told us:
Where do you find stink bugs?
Readers most commonly found stink bugs around indoor living spaces such as the kitchen, dining room, bathroom, bedroom and in doorways. Some readers also find the pests in their fireplaces, garages, sheds, and on the side of and behind picture frames. Coming in through openings like bathroom vents for fans is also common.
Other popular stink bug spots include windows or window sills, lamps or other light fixtures, or rooms with skylights. According to previous reporting from McClatchy News, brown marmorated stink bugs are attracted to light. Multiple readers pointed out finding the insects crawling specifically on the west- or south-facing windows. That likely occurs because the sun sets closer to the southern hemisphere during winter.
Some readers have reported discovering the insects crawling on their clothing.
“They like to hide in between clothes, in the dresser, or even on the walls to the side tables; it’s the scariest thing as they seem to just pop up out of nowhere like a jump scare,” Emily from Whatcom County wrote.
How often do stink bugs appear?
The pests tend to pop up when there is a change in the season, particularly from warm to cooler or from colder to warmer. For instance, readers told us they saw them commonly during late summer, early fall and late winter, early spring.
Most people tend to see them multiple times a week, daily or several times a day.
“Daily — 6-10 a day recently — in Sammamish. I have a problem!” Leslie from King County wrote.
Multiple people pointed out they were encountering noticeably more stink bugs starting in fall 2022, compared to any time before.
How do you get rid of them?
Readers told us several approaches they use to handle stink bugs. Most people either flush them down the toilet, catch and release them outside or place them in the garbage. Others tactics are less merciful.
“I gently escort them out of the home and then bring violent, swift death from above ...,” wrote Timothy of Pierce County, describing the instrument of death as the heel of his shoe.
Squishing the bugs inside the house is not recommended, as the smell their bodies secrete attracts more inside, according to previous reporting from The News Tribune.
Aside from flushing, tossing and curb-stomping, several Washington residents said they put the insects in soapy water to kill them. One reader suggested squirting a mix of clove and spearmint oil in diluted white vinegar to drown them.
Another reader, Karen from Pierce County, wrote in detail how she removes the pests on the outside walls of her house: “Fill a wide mouth jar with half full of water and a drop or two of detergent, hold it tight to the house at a bit of an angle directly under the bug. They tend to propel themselves off the wall and flop into the jar.”
In contrast to those methods, a few of you were more tolerant. One writer said they don’t try to eliminate them because “they do no harm.” Another person said they carry them outside to their plants.
Tricks to keep stink bugs away
Most readers don’t have any unique tactics for deterring the bugs from entering their homes. But several of you provided a few tips:
Stink bugs are attracted to heat and light. One reader said keeping the heat low and lights turned off has worked for them.
Another reader said spraying the outside of their house with minty soap water appeared to help. The News Tribune previously reported that the invasive insects hate mint.
If you see the pests in your chimney, one reader suggests using a foam sealant, silicone rubber or mesh screens.
“Look for any openings around windows, vents, and doors where they might crawl in, and caulk or use weather stripping to keep them from coming in next winter. Any chemical treatment will also affect desired bugs,” Karlina from Pierce County wrote.
If you don’t want to deal with the insects, a pet might be happy to do it for you. “My Border Collie pup herds them. Then eats them,” Mike in Pierce County wrote. Although stink bugs are not poisonous to pets, your furry friends will probably get an upset stomach from munching on them.
If you see your cat or dog sniffing something on the floor or wall, it might be a stink bug.
This story was originally published October 10, 2023 at 11:08 AM.
