How To Handle Pesky Stink Bugs Invading Upstate New York

Fall in Upstate New York means beautiful leaves, cooler nights, and stink bugs deciding your house is their winter getaway.

I know stink bugs don't harm us, but they give me the creepy crawlies, and I am not a fan. Seeing one crawling across the window is enough to make me feel like something is crawling on me.

As temperatures drop, these unwanted houseguests start looking for somewhere warm to settle in. Apparently, our homes get great reviews because they keep showing up without an invitation.

Stink Bugs Won't Hurt You

The good news is that stink bugs do not bite or sting. The bad news? Their name is well earned. Crush one or make it feel threatened, and it can release an unpleasant smell. So, as tempting as it might be to grab a shoe, you may want to rethink that plan.

Instead, gently scoop the bug into a cup or container and bring it outside. A vacuum can also help, although you will want to empty the bag or canister outside right away. Nobody needs a stink bug making a return appearance.

How Do You Keep Them Out?

Keeping them out starts with checking around windows, doors, and siding. Small cracks and gaps can become their personal entrance, so a little caulk or weather sealing can help close things up.

Spearmint oil may also help discourage stink bugs, although lining your windows and doors with it is not a proven way to keep them out. Its repellent effect fades quickly, so sealing those little gaps is still your best bet.

They may be harmless to us, but that does not mean I want to share my living room with them. Enjoy the fall weather, stink bugs. Just please find somewhere else to spend the winter.