Picture this: You’re enjoying the sunshine streaming in your kitchen windows, feeling those warm rays filter in. It’s a nice, peaceful moment.
And that’s when you see it. Something flutters by the window out of the corner of your eye. It can’t be a ladybug; it’s too big. And it’s very brown -- not a hint of color in sight. Then it stops and you take a closer look.
The thing clinging to your window screen looks like it’s come straight out of a science fiction thriller. It has a broad, archaic-looking, shield-shaped body with stripes around the edges and even on the antennae. Long legs jut out from its sides, and a relatively tiny head sits on top of its large frame.
It’s a stink bug. And while it might be a fascinating, albeit ugly, specimen to observe, you just want it gone … like now.
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. These little menaces like to invade homes looking for protection and warmth as the temperatures get cooler, but we can tell you how to get rid of stink bugs in Central and Southern Maryland.
Stink Bugs in Central and Southern Maryland
The stink bug is an invasive pest native to China. Pennsylvanians were the first to see this pest in the late 1990s. Since then, stink bugs have spread to more than 40 states, including Maryland.
Stinks bugs range in size from half an inch to 1 inch in size. They are most notorious for the characteristic that gives them their name. When you frighten, disturb, or kill these pests by crushing them, they emit a pungent odor that some say can be skunk-like or smell like rotting meat. 
Outside, stink bugs do enjoy gardens, particularly tree fruits and vegetable plants like tomatoes, peppers, beans, and sweet corn. They get hungry, and plant damage results in bruises and blemishes.
To you, the homeowner, stink bugs are relatively harmless. They don’t cause much damage to structures like termites do. They don’t cause as much grief as cockroaches or ants. But they can be a nuisance. And they can enter your home in large numbers, making them difficult to control once they get inside.
How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs in Your Home
So, finding a stink bug in your home doesn’t need to incite panic. They don’t hurt or bite people and don't harm fabrics or home building materials.
However, they do get pretty annoying.
Here are some of the best ways to keep them out of your house.
1. Get Them Out … Without the Smell
Because the odor stink bugs emit is pretty potent, you don’t want to crush a stink bug … even though that’s probably your first instinct reaction.
Sometimes people catch them and put them outside or flush them down the toilet.
Other times, they vacuum them up and then replace the bag or clean out bagless vacuum models with vinegar to get rid of the smell.
2. Remember the Pest Control Basics
There are some basic strategies you can employ outside for stink bug control.
First, keep branches well trimmed around your home. And don’t forget to store firewood at least 20 feet from your home.
Next, reduce moisture sites by eliminating excess water buildup around your home. These include leaking pipes and clogged drains.
Eliminating food sources is also a great method of deterring all pests, including stink bugs, from coming into your home. Store food in airtight containers and dispose of garbage regularly in sealed receptacles. Remember to regularly wipe kitchen counters and sweep floors to eliminate crumbs and any spill residue.
Keeping lights down during the time when stink bugs are trying to get inside can also help. Turn off porch lights during evenings when you don’t need them and pull down window blinds.
3. Seal Stink Bug Entry Points
During the fall and early winter as temperatures get cooler, stink bugs start invading homes in search of warm places to spend the winter. They don’t hibernate; rather they overwinter in a dormant state in a protected spot, mainly your attic or eaves.
They typically gather on warm, west-facing walls and then enter homes via cracks and crevices.
What you want to do in this case for stink bug control is stop them from entering your home. You’re looking for points of entry that are large enough to handle this larger size of pest.
Look for cracks and crevices in door seals and around windows and in siding. Also, check dryer vents, soffit vents, and gaps in shingles where they meet rooflines. Use a good quality silicone or caulk to seal cracks and holes. Check for torn weather-stripping and replace those you find. 
Replace damaged screens on windows and doors to limit holes they can fit through. You can also install screens over chimney, attic, and dryer vents to prevent stink bugs from getting indoors.
And, don’t forget, as you come inside with holiday decorations or groceries, do a quick inspection. Stink bugs can travel on these items as you bring them inside.
4. Hire a Pest Control Pro
Maybe you don’t have time to inspect all the possible entry points around your home. We understand that. Or maybe you’re noticing a large number of stink bugs inside your home, despite the fact that you’ve tried some of the methods mentioned above to no avail. That’s when hiring a pest control professional can help.
A pest control technician can conduct a general pest inspection and look for common entry points, sealing anything that is ½ inch in size or less. Since they see pests all the time, they know exactly where to look. They can even alert you to gaps larger than ½ inch that might need additional repair work.
You may wonder if there is a pest control product that can eliminate stink bugs, but unfortunately there’s not. Stink bugs, like spiders, don’t make contact with insecticides because of their tough insect bodies. So exclusion is the best way for stink bug control.
Signing up for a general pest control service that includes inspections and any necessary treatments can mean a professional is keeping his or her eyes out for stink bugs when they are most menacing, as well as other problem pests. Having those extra eyes on your property is always a nice relief.
Seeing Stink Bugs? Natural Green Can Help
Stink bugs might not be the worst insects, despite their ugly appearance. But when they start setting up a cozy home in your personal space, they become a nuisance.
We get it. And if you’re concerned about the number of stink bugs you’re seeing in and around your home, we’d like to help you make the right choice for stink bug control. Hiring a reputable pest control firm that employs experienced and conscientious technicians can give you peace of mind, while eliminating these pests for good.
We want you to be able to enjoy your home -- stink bug-free. Give us a call and we’ll bring our proven pest control experience and create a custom plan for your Central and Southern Maryland residence. Get started today with a free quote.
Image Source: Stink Bug
