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Make sure to read the product label of any insecticide you plan to use to find details about the recommended personal protective gear. Typically, it’s advised to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, closed-toe shoes with socks, chemical-resistant gloves, and goggles. If the area has poor ventilation, the manufacturer might suggest wearing a mask or respirator.
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Stink Bugs Guide

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Inspect

Treat

Prevent

Stink Bug Identification Guide

Stink bugs, also known as shield bugs due to their distinct shape, have become a significant nuisance across the United States, especially on the East Coast. While the brown marmorated stink bug doesn't bite or sting, it is notorious for seeking shelter indoors during the colder months. Homes and businesses can experience an infestation of hundreds or even thousands of these large insects each fall, making their removal a priority. This species has increasingly become a pest in the U.S., and it is the focus of this guide.

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Stink Bugs Characteristics

Size

Stink bugs go through five immature (nymphal) stages, with sizes ranging from approximately 5 mm to 12 mm. Adult stink bugs typically measure about 17 mm in length.

Shape

Stink bugs have a distinct "shield" shape.
They have six legs and two antennae.
Their mouthparts are thin and pointed, designed for piercing plants.
Stink bugs possess wings, which are partially concealed.

Color

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug has a marbled appearance with noticeable white and dark brown banding patterns along the edges of its body. Its legs also feature faint white bands.

Nest/Damage

This species seeks warm shelter during the winter, often invading homes and businesses. They squeeze into hard-to-reach areas. When disturbed, stink bugs release a foul odor, which can become especially unpleasant in large numbers.

What Do Stink Bugs Eat?

Stink bugs feed on fruits and vegetables and are known to damage fruit trees and vegetable gardens. They have become a significant agricultural pest in certain parts of the U.S.

Range

The Brown Marmorated Stink Bug originally hails from the northeastern U.S., but this species has since spread throughout the country and has been documented in most states.

Stink Bug Inspection Guide

How to Identify Stink Bugs
Stink bugs are relatively large insects, making them easy to spot. They are most noticeable in late summer through fall when they begin searching for warm places to spend the winter.

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Where Do Stink Bugs Hide Inside Your Home?

Once stink bugs enter your home, they will search for dark, undisturbed areas to stay in during the winter. After finding these hiding spots, they are typically not seen during the colder months unless the home is heated. You are most likely to notice them from late summer to fall when they are actively seeking a suitable place to spend the winter.

Common places to find stink bugs indoors include:

  • Cracks and crevices throughout the house
  • Wall voids
  • Attics and false ceilings
  • Basements
  • Crawlspaces
  • Inside hollow curtain rods
  • Fabrics that are rarely moved, like curtains and bedding in guest rooms

As temperatures warm up in the spring, stink bugs will start to emerge and may be seen flying towards lights or gathering around windows, trying to get outside. They may also be spotted in these areas:

  • Around doors
  • Around windows
  • Near light fixtures

Where Are Stink Bugs Found Outside?

Stink bugs are attracted to homes as they seek shelter during the fall when temperatures drop. Look for stink bugs in these outdoor areas:

  • On the sunniest or north-facing side of the house
  • Around or on doors
  • Around windows
  • Around vents and eaves
  • Near bushes
  • In outdoor sheds

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs

Dealing with Stink Bug Issues

Stink bugs can be a nuisance for homeowners and business owners, especially when they invade your property to overwinter. While stink bugs do not infest homes in the typical sense (as they do not feed, mate, or lay eggs indoors), their presence can be bothersome due to the unpleasant odor they release when disturbed or crushed, and the large numbers they often appear in.

Do Stink Bugs Bite?
No, stink bugs do not bite or cause harm to humans.

While stink bugs are not a direct threat to humans, they can damage fruit trees and vegetable plants. If this is a concern, the treatment approach will vary depending on the specific type of fruit tree or vegetable plant involved.

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Step1 When & Where to Treat

How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs
It’s recommended to begin treating for stink bugs in early August and continue through November or until the first frost. This timeline ensures that you address the issue before the bugs seek shelter indoors for the winter.

To manage your stink bug control program effectively, you’ll need the following tools and products:

  • Hand pump or backpack sprayer
  • Liquid concentrate insecticide
  • Hand duster
  • Dust insecticide

With so many stink bug control products available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. To simplify the process, we’ve put together a stink bug control kit and an overwintering kit to make selecting the correct insecticides easier.

Application Schedule
We recommend applying the liquid insecticide every 30 days around the exterior perimeter of your home or business. Ensure that children and pets stay out of the treated areas until they have dried, usually in about an hour. Follow the product label instructions for mixing the concentrated insecticide. Using your sprayer, apply the solution to these areas:

  • 1 foot up the foundation and 1 foot out onto the ground
  • Around areas where cables, pipes, and wires enter the structure
  • Around door frames and window frames
  • Around vents and soffits
  • Any other areas of the structure

After the Liquid Insecticide
Once the liquid insecticide has dried, it’s time to apply the dust insecticide. Use a dust insecticide every 6 months to target cracks and crevices around the exterior of your structure.

The reason for using two types of insecticides is that liquid insecticide can be exposed to UV rays or applied to porous surfaces, both of which can reduce its effectiveness. Dust insecticides last longer and provide additional protection against persistent invaders. Fill your hand duster with insecticide dust and apply it to cracks and crevices in the following areas:

  • Around window and door frames
  • Around areas where cables, pipes, and wires enter the structure
  • Around eaves and soffits
  • Any crack, crevice, or gap where pests can enter

Dealing with Stink Bugs Indoors
Once stink bugs enter your home, they can be difficult to control. They tend to hide in hard-to-reach areas. If you spot any, the best method is to vacuum them up and empty the bag or canister outside. For areas that are inaccessible to a vacuum, you can spot-treat them with a pyrethrin aerosol. Spray the stink bugs directly for effective treatment.

Note: If you’ve experienced stink bug invasions in the past, it may take more than one season to fully control the issue. Typically, you can expect to achieve about 80% control in the first season.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Stink Bug Treatment Infographic

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How to Keep Stink Bugs Away

Stink Bug Prevention
To prevent stink bugs from entering your home or business, a combination of insecticide treatments, sanitation practices, and exclusion methods is necessary. Our comprehensive Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and prevention guide offers detailed steps to help you keep stink bugs and other pests out of your property. This guide will teach you how to make your home less inviting to stink bugs and other pests, ensuring long-term protection.

When dealing with stink bugs, relying solely on insecticides typically won’t provide complete control. It’s essential to follow the sanitation and exclusion steps outlined in the pest prevention guide for the most effective results.

For added protection, consider using our Overwintering Pest Control Kit, which is specifically designed to help prevent overwintering pests, including stink bugs, Asian lady beetles, and others. This convenient kit includes liquid insecticide, insecticide dust, and a hand bellow duster, providing everything you need to combat these pests during the colder months.

Follow the instructions below to learn how to properly use the Overwintering Pest Control Kit.

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Step1 Treat the Perimeter of Your Home with Insecticide

General Pest Spray

To prevent overwintering pests like stink bugs from entering your home, apply a liquid insecticide, such as Talstar P, to the exterior before the first frost. Follow the directions on the label for proper mixing with water, then spray the following areas around the perimeter of your home:

  • Spray 3 feet up and 3 feet out from the foundation around the entire perimeter.
  • Focus on the sunniest side of the house, spraying up to 3 feet along the side, as this is where overwintering pests tend to gather before entering.
  • Apply the spray around door and window frames.
  • Treat cracks and crevices in the foundation.
  • Spray around outdoor vents and soffits.
  • Apply to gaps in caulking around doors and windows.
  • Treat areas around utility pipes, wires, and light fixtures where pests may enter.

By treating these areas effectively, you can help prevent pests from finding their way indoors as temperatures drop.

Products we recommend for Step 1

Step2 Treat the Inside of Your Home with Insecticide

To manage stink bugs inside your home, use insecticide spray to target specific areas where they may enter or hide during the winter. Avoid treating entire floors, walls, or rooms. Instead, focus on these key areas:

  • Spray around door and window frames.
  • Apply insecticide where utility pipes enter the home.
  • Spray underneath appliances and beneath sinks.

Ensure that pets and children stay away from treated areas until the spray has dried, which usually takes about 1-2 hours.

Step3 Use Insecticide Dust in Cracks and Crevices

To enhance the effectiveness of your liquid insecticide treatment, consider applying an insecticide dust, such as EcoVia WD, to hard-to-reach areas where stink bugs may seek shelter. Apply just one or two small puffs of dust per spot, as using too much can reduce its effectiveness.

Insecticide dusts provide a long-lasting residual effect, although they may take longer to show results. For the best outcome, use dust in combination with liquid insecticide for a broader range of control.

When applying insecticide dust, select the appropriate product and carefully read the label before use. Fill a bellow hand duster halfway and treat these areas:

  • Around door and window frames
  • In wall voids behind outlets and switches
  • Where cables and pipes enter the home
  • Around eaves and soffits
  • In the corners of attics and closets
  • In cracks and crevices throughout the home
  • Under appliances
  • Below sinks
  • Where pipes enter walls

Step4 Practice Integrated Pest Management

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a proactive approach that helps homeowners prevent common pests from entering the home. By following a few simple steps, you can greatly reduce the risk of overwintering pests.

Here are some essential actions to take:

  • Create a barrier zone by removing pine straw, mulch, or bark at least 6 inches from the foundation.
  • Trim back branches and bushes to ensure they don't touch the house or structure.
  • Install door sweeps on external doors.
  • Repair any holes or tears in window screens.
  • Seal cracks and crevices around the home with caulk.
  • Clean gutters regularly to remove debris.
  • Install steel mesh around areas where utilities enter the home.
  • Keep your home tidy and vacuum frequently to eliminate crumbs.

For more information on integrated pest management, check out our general pest prevention guide.

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