How to Get Rid of Stink Bugs (DIY Guide)

The brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is an invasive species from Asia that arrived in the US in the late 1990s and has since spread to most of the country. They're about ¾ inch long, shield-shaped, mottled brown, and have alternating dark-and-light bands on their antennae.

Here's what makes stink bugs unique: they don't breed indoors. They're not infesting your house — they're using it as a winter hotel. In fall, as temperatures drop, stink bugs seek warm shelter to hibernate (technically called "overwintering"). They squeeze through tiny gaps into your walls and attic, entering a dormant state. On warm winter days, some wake up disoriented and wander into your living space, which is why you find them on windows and walls in the middle of January.

The key to stink bug control is prevention in early fall, before they enter. Once they're inside your walls, there's not much you can do except remove them one by one as they appear.

• Caulk and a caulk gun — For sealing exterior gaps.
• Weatherstripping — For doors and windows.
• Window screen repair kit — For fixing any torn screens.
• Vacuum cleaner — For removing stink bugs that get inside (the preferred removal method).
• DIY stink bug trap — A desk lamp over a pan of soapy water works surprisingly well at night.
• Expanding foam — For larger gaps around pipes and utility entries.

Step 1: Prevention — Seal Your Home (Do This in September)

The best stink bug strategy is stopping them from entering in the first place. In September, before the fall invasion begins:

• Caulk around all windows and door frames on the exterior.
• Seal gaps where utility pipes, wires, and cables enter the house.
• Install or repair door sweeps on all exterior doors.
• Check attic vents and ensure they have intact screening.
• Replace damaged window screens.
• Seal around the chimney and roof vents.
• Pay special attention to the south and west sides of your home — stink bugs prefer warm, sun-facing walls.

Step 2: Remove Stink Bugs Already Inside

For bugs that have already found their way in, the best removal method is a vacuum cleaner. Don't crush them — that triggers the stink gland and releases their characteristic odor. Simply vacuum them up. If you're concerned about the smell lingering in your vacuum, use a nylon stocking over the vacuum hose held in place by a rubber band. The bugs get trapped in the stocking, which you can then seal in a plastic bag and dispose of outside.

Step 3: Make a Simple Trap

At night, place a desk lamp over a shallow pan of soapy water. The light attracts stink bugs, and they fall into the soapy water and drown. This low-tech trap can catch dozens of bugs per night during peak activity.

Another option: a cut-off top of a plastic bottle placed upside down into the bottom half (like a minnow trap). Put an LED light inside. Stink bugs enter but can't figure out how to leave.

Step 4: Focus on Long-Term Exclusion

Stink bugs return to the same structures year after year because they release aggregation pheromones that attract others. Your goal is to make your home as sealed as possible so fewer get in each successive year. The time invested in thorough sealing pays off over multiple seasons.

• Seal in September — Mark it on your calendar. The fall invasion typically begins when nighttime temperatures start dropping below 50°F consistently. Sealing before this point prevents entry.
• Don't leave exterior lights on unnecessarily — Stink bugs are attracted to light. Switch to motion-activated outdoor lighting or yellow bulbs that are less attractive to insects.
• Check grocery bags and items left on porches — Stink bugs sometimes hitch rides inside on items left outdoors.
• Keep gardens clean — If you have a vegetable garden, stink bugs feed on tomatoes, peppers, beans, and fruit. Keeping the garden clean in fall reduces the nearby population.
• If possible, address the south and west walls — These sun-facing walls get warmer and attract the most stink bugs. Prioritize sealing efforts here.

• Crushing them — The stink bug's defense mechanism is a pungent chemical released from glands on the thorax. Crushing them releases this smell, which also attracts more stink bugs. Vacuum them instead.
• Using indoor pesticide sprays — Spraying stink bugs inside your home isn't effective because they're not breeding or feeding indoors — they're just hiding. Plus, dead stink bugs in wall voids can attract secondary pests like carpet beetles.
• Waiting until winter to seal the house — By the time you're seeing stink bugs inside during winter, they entered months ago. Sealing in December doesn't keep out bugs that are already in your walls. Do your sealing in September.
• Trying to find and remove bugs in wall voids — Stink bugs congregating inside walls are nearly impossible to reach. The better strategy is to let them be and focus on sealing so next year fewer get in.