What To Do About Stink Bugs Around Your Tupelo Home

Stink bugs are brown shield-shaped bugs that can make a stink when they get into Baldwyn homes. If you're finding these insects in your home, there are several things you can do about them. Some are better than others. Here's what you need to know.

A Simple Trap

If you only have one or two stink bugs here and there, you can use a simple trap to get rid of them. It is made by cutting a one-liter soda bottle in half and putting it back together with the mouth of the bottle pointing downward into the bottom half of the bottle. When you see a stink bug, you cover it with the large end of the funnel and slide it off whatever surface it is clinging to. It will slide down the funnel, into the bottom half of the bottle, and will be unable to climb back out. Surprisingly, this doesn't disturb the stink bug, so it doesn't release a smell. You can catch them and release them outside immediately, or simply dispose of the stink bugs you've caught when you get around to it. Just don't keep them for too long. It can be gross.

A Vacuum

If you have more than one or two stink bugs, you need more than a little trap. It is fair to say that the trap described above can dispatch a large number of stink bugs if you have the patience to do it. A faster solution is to suck the stink bugs up with a vacuum and dispose of the bag outside. The only problem with this method is that it can get costly.

Screens

Your front-line protection against Baldwyn stink bugs is proper screen protection. If you can stop stink bugs from getting into your home, you'll have fewer to suck up with your vacuum or capture with your trap. Inspect all of your exterior screens and repair holes and other damage. Also, check the frame around your screens and make sure you have a good seal.

Weatherstripping And Sweeps

Stink bugs can fly right through your doors when you open them, so it is important to sweep them out of entryways as much as possible. Between sweepings, it is important that stink bugs aren't able to find a way past the seal around your exterior doors. This seal is created with rubber weatherstripping and sweeps. Do a detailed inspection and see if there are any gaps. These gaps could be easy to fix, slightly difficult to fix, or extremely hard to fix.

• Easy. If you're noticing that something has gotten lodged in your weatherstripping, you can simply remove it and you're all set. If you have a hole in your wood frame that has been created by wood-destroying pests, this can also be an easy fix. Use a caulking gun to fill that hole in.
• Slightly difficult. If you have old, damaged, or missing weatherstripping or door sweeps, they will need to be replaced. This isn't terribly difficult, but it's a pain.
• Hard to fix. Some doors don't have a good seal, even when the weatherstripping and door sweeps are replaced. The doors need to be adjusted to create a good seal all the way around. If you don't have the skillset to do this, you may have to hire a handyman.

Exterior Protection

Stink bugs get into your home for two reasons: Because they can and because they're there. If you have an entry point they can access, they'll take it. You can seal them out by doing what you did with your exterior doors. Find holes and seal them up. But it can be difficult to entirely seal your home and keep stink bugs out. If you address the second reason stink bugs get in, you'll have fewer issues—if any issues at all. The application of a perimeter treatment can give your exterior what it needs to repel and knock down stink bugs before they get inside your home. This is where we can help.

At McCary Pest Control, we provide residential pest control that gives you coverage for stink bugs. Routine treatments to the exterior of your Baldwyn home will prevent stink bugs from congregating on your exterior walls. They'll go somewhere else to do that. This exterior protection will also work to get control of a long list of other common household pests and some yard pests as well.

If you'd like to learn more about our service options or request a pest control evaluation for your Baldwyn home, reach out to us. We're standing by to assist you with this important protection for your home and your family. While stink bugs aren't considered a disease threat, there are many pests that are. And, while stink bugs won't damage your property, there are many pests that do. Get your protection in place today.