Stink bugs release a pungent odor when threatened. This chemical defense mechanism, reminiscent of cilantro or sulfur, makes them a challenging pest to deal with. They deploy this smell as protection against predators, including humans who handle them.
Primarily outdoor dwellers, stink bugs become indoor nuisances in colder regions during overwintering. This migration leads to conflicts with homeowners as they invade homes en masse to escape the cold.
Although stink bugs are no threat to humans and pets, stink bug infestations require strategic action, something I’ve learned first-hand over the years as a professional pest control technician. Unlike pests seeking sustenance indoors, stink bugs enter for warmth. Solutions involve using pesticide sprays outdoors or employing stink bug traps indoors.
Stink bug traps offer advantages like family safety and environmental friendliness, avoiding pesticides. These traps often work against various cold-seeking insects, providing a dual defense against spiders, ants, cockroaches, and other unwelcome intruders.
With stink bug traps, you not only manage these foul-smelling insects but also extend their effectiveness to control other household pests. This method offers a comprehensive approach to keeping your home bug-free. Below, I introduce you to four of the highest rated and most effective stink bug traps on the market.
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What are the Best Stink Bug Traps?
There are a few different types of stink bug traps to consider using to tackle your problem. Let’s go over the pros and cons of each type of stink bug trap so you can decide which will fit your needs the best:
- DynaTrap Indoor Light Trap
- Stink Bug Glue Traps
- Outdoor Garden Trap
- Sonic Stink Bug Vacuum
1. DynaTrap Indoor Light Trap
Stink bugs are attracted to light, especially ultraviolet light. This trap takes advantage of that fact by using a UV bulb to lure the stink bugs toward it.
Unlike some UV traps for other insects, this trap doesn’t use electricity to zap the bugs. It uses a vacuum fan to pull the bugs inside and traps them to dehydrate and die. The advantage of this is that there are no loud noises or flashing with this trap. If it wasn’t for the blue light that it emits, you might even forget that it’s active.
The trap has an effective range of up to 300 square feet. Because it works based on light, it is most effective when used at night.
It’s also best to use it in dark areas where there are no competing light sources, so stink bugs and other flying pests will find it easily. Turn off all other lights in the area (as much as possible), and you’ll be surprised just how effective this can be inside your home.
This trap also works to catch mosquitoes, house flies, drain flies, and pretty much any flying insect, so it’s a good choice if you have problems with more than one kind of bug.
2. Stink Bug Glue Traps
There’s nothing high-tech about these glue traps, but in my experience that’s part of what makes them useful. These trips are nothing more than a piece of cardboard covered with very sticky glue.
The idea is that any bug that walks over the glue will become stuck. It will either die of dehydration in the trap, or you can kill it when you find it.
The best way to use glue traps is to set them in places that get a lot of stink bug activity. Check for entry points to your home, such as around windows and doors, close to pipes that go outside, and any other gaps in the structure. Because these traps are so simple, they are cheap, so you can buy lots of them and set them out around the house.
Another nice feature of these traps is that they will catch just about anything small enough to get stuck. Spiders, sowbugs, earwigs, and even mice are caught by the strong adhesive, so they are a great way to keep cold-weather invaders out of your home.
Be aware that there is nothing to attract the stink bugs to this trap, so placement is crucial. You need to put the trap somewhere where the bugs will naturally walk right into them.
3. Outdoor Garden Trap
Stink bugs ordinarily live outdoors, so it makes sense to deal with them outside before they come inside. If you find that stink bugs are feeding on the plants in your garden, this may become a priority.
One thing I’ve learned about controlling stink bugs over the years is that outdoor sticky traps can help reduce the stink bug population. Place them throughout your yard close to plants that the stink bugs like. Fruit trees are popular with the bugs, as are ornamental plants such as holly and mimosa.
These traps are great for reducing the stink bug population before it becomes a big issue. Also, they are effective against many other species of outdoor pests, such as aphids, whiteflies, gnats, and fruit flies. Designed for the outdoors, they are waterproof and can stand up to fluctuations in temperature.
Because they are for outdoor use, it’s important to use these traps at the right time of year. They work best in late spring, summer, and early fall while the stink bugs still live outside. Once the weather gets colder, the stink bugs will no longer be active outdoors, and these traps will no longer be effective.
You could also use them indoors if you have indoor plants to protect.
4. Sonic Stink Bug Vacuum
Stink bugs aren’t likely to win any beauty prizes, and the noxious smell they produce only makes them worse houseguests. When you see a stink bug crawling or flying around inside your home, a passive trap may not seem like a quick enough solution. You may want to take matters into your own hands.
This clever battery-powered bug vacuum can help. Powered by a nine-volt battery, it gently sucks bugs into the clear plastic tube. This allows you to make sure you’ve caught the bug.
It also prevents the bug from harm during capture, making this a very humane way to deal with insects. You can then take the bug outside and let it go. If you don’t like the idea of killing bugs, this is a handy tool to have.
It lets you deal with stink bugs without handling them and risking getting their smelly chemicals on your skin. Additionally, this vacuum will work on any bug small enough to fit inside, so it’s also useful for capturing spiders, fleas, bed bugs, termites, and other invaders.
One thing to keep in mind, if you’re humanely releasing the stink bug outside, they’re probably going to try to make their way back in. You should follow my pro tips below to prevent them from getting back in the home.
Where Should You Place Stink Bug Traps?
No matter what traps you use against stink bugs, any trap is only as good as the way that you use it. The key to effective stink bug trapping is to place the traps in areas where stink bugs will find them.
Outdoors, that means paying attention to stink bug food sources. Place sticky traps in fruit trees and around garden vegetables, as well as the ornamental plants stink bugs prefer. This helps you catch more of them and reduce the population effectively.
Indoors, it is best to place sticky traps where stink bugs come into the house. For glue traps to work, the stink bug needs to walk right into them. Place traps in areas where you see the most stink bugs and try to think about where these animals may be getting into your home.
If you’re using a light-based trap, any place without competing light sources will be best. It may only be effective at night time when the sun goes down.
How Do Stink Bugs Get into Your Home?
Stink bugs are relatively large insects, with adults reaching five-eighths of an inch in length and with bodies that are quite wide relative to that length. However, that’s still pretty small when compared to a house.
Stink bugs are good at slipping through cracks and detecting areas of your home leaking warmth.
Here are some of the most common ways that stink bugs get inside the house:
- Inadequate window screens. Window screens with holes or gaps from improper installation can allow bugs to squeeze their way in.
- No weatherstripping around windows or doors. This is one of the most common ways for bugs to get inside. Even a small gap at the bottom of the door or around the frame of the window can be enough to let insects in.
- Cracks and gaps in masonry. Check the walls and foundations of your house thoroughly for any gaps where insects can get inside.
- Gaps around pipes. This is also very common. Check water and gas pipes, dryer vents, air-conditioning conduits, gas, and electrical meters, and anywhere else a pipe or wire enters your home from the outside.
- Leaving doors and windows open. Sometimes, stink bugs and other invaders fly right in through an open door or window. Try to stay mindful of open entrances, especially toward the end of summer and into fall when bugs are looking for a warm place to spend the winter. If it is not possible to close windows or doors, install screens.
What are Other Ways to Deal With Stink Bugs?
Other than using stink bug traps, here’s a few other ways I’ve discovered to fight against stink bugs:
- Exclusion
- Reduce Outdoor Lighting
- Pesticide Spray
Exclusion
Long-term, this is, in my opinion, the best way to deal with the stink bug problem. If the bugs can get inside, they can become a nuisance in your home. Check out the places mentioned above where stink bugs often get inside. Ordinarily, stink bugs will enter and stay close to the warmest side of the house, which is usually the southern side.
Check door and window frames, electrical outlets, light switches, skylights, and light fixtures indoors. Outdoors, check dryer vents, water and gas pipes, and anywhere else a conduit passes through the walls of your home. Most small cracks and crevices are sealable with weatherproof silicone caulk.
Larger holes need to be repaired with concrete patches or other methods. Remember that stink bugs can fly, so you’ll need to take a look at your whole house.
The nice thing about exclusion is that it not only offers a chemical-free way to keep stink bugs out permanently. It also helps keep other pests out of your home, including spiders, earwigs, mosquitoes, and even mice. Doing exclusion properly requires some work, but it’s worth it to have a permanent solution to your pest problems.
Reduce Outdoor Lighting
Stink bugs are notoriously drawn to light sources, especially during the darker hours. To mitigate their attraction and discourage their presence around your home, consider evaluating your outdoor lighting. If there are unnecessary outdoor lights, consider turning them off to minimize the appeal for stink bugs.
Alternatively, replacing bright white bulbs with yellow bulbs can prove effective, as they are less appealing to these pests. By making these lighting adjustments, you’re creating a less inviting environment for stink bugs, reducing the likelihood of their congregating around your property and seeking entry into your living spaces.
Pesticide Spray
As mentioned above, you can also keep stink bugs out by spraying pesticides. The best approach is to use a pesticide with an effective residual that will kill any bugs that cross it even after it has dried, and also repel them from the structure.
Apply Pesticide Spray Around Your Home
A pesticide such as Harris Stink Bug Killer can be sprayed around your home in late summer and early fall. This will create a barrier that will kill many stink bugs that try to cross it before they can get inside.
Once the bugs are inside, they can be killed with pesticides designed for indoor use. An aerosol spray such as CB 80 will kill stink bugs on contact when you find them in your house. This product comes with a special crack and crevice applicator that makes it great for applying into wall voids, around pipes, and other places where stink bugs may be entering.
It also has a residual effect that will continue to kill the bugs even after the chemical has dried. Be aware, though, that you may still find dead stink bugs turning up in your house after applying the pesticide.
Apply Pesticide Dust In Cracks and Around Pipes
Another effective way to treat wall voids and other hidden places where stink bugs like to overwinter is using a pesticide dust such as Cimexa. Inside a wall void or around the pipe, dust will stay dry and active for months or even years.
Also, by applying the pesticide into these areas, you mitigate the risk of having it come into contact with you or your family. This is why I am a big fan of using insect traps as my main DIY pest control method for stink bugs. However, as long as the dust stays undisturbed in the wall void, it will continue to kill not just stink bugs but any other bugs that try to come inside.
However, these kinds of insecticide treatments should be a last resort. Killing stink bugs inside wall voids runs the risk of attracting other insects that will scavenge on their dead bodies.
This phenomena is known as secondary infestation, and it can sometimes be a bigger problem than the stink bug infestation itself. That’s why trapping and exclusion are the preferred methods for stink bug control. Only if these methods are not possible in your situation or have already failed should you reach for the pesticide.
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Over 90 years of experience
Nationwide service area
Free retreatments if pests return
4.7
Treats 20 types of pests
Offers instant online quotes
30-day money-back guarantee
Final Thoughts About Stink Bug Traps
Stink bug traps are a valuable tool in your DIY pest control arsenal, offering a safer and environmentally friendly way to manage stink bug infestations. They work well for preventing indoor invasions and reducing the annoyance of these persistent pests.
However, it’s important to remember that while DIY methods can be effective up to a point, sometimes the expertise of a professional pest control company or local exterminator is necessary.
If stink bugs continue to pose a significant problem despite your efforts, or if infestations become overwhelming, seeking the assistance of experts can provide a thorough and lasting solution. Professional pest control services offer targeted treatments, valuable insights, and a comprehensive approach to address stink bug issues. Ultimately, they provide you with the peace of mind you deserve in your pest-free home. They may even save you money.
FAQs About Stink Bug Traps
How do stink bug traps work?
Stink bug traps use various methods to attract and capture these pests. Common traps apply light and heat to mimic warm environments, attracting stink bugs seeking shelter. Once lured in, they get trapped in a containment area, preventing them from infesting your living spaces.
Are stink bug traps safe for pets and children?
Yes, stink bug traps are generally safe for pets and children. Unlike traditional pesticides, traps usually don’t involve toxic chemicals, reducing the risk to your family. However, it’s wise to check the manufacturer’s instructions and warnings before use to guarantee safe handling.
Can stink bug traps be used outdoors?
Stink bug traps are primarily designed for indoor use, as they target pests seeking shelter within your home. Placing traps outdoors might not yield the desired results, as stink bugs are naturally attracted to warm indoor environments. For outdoor stink bug control, consider other methods like removing attractants and sealing entry points.
How effective are stink bug traps in controlling infestations?
Stink bug traps can be effective in reducing indoor stink bug populations, especially during the colder months when these pests seek warmth indoors. However, they might not eliminate all stink bugs in and around your property. To maximize effectiveness, combine trap usage with other pest management strategies.
Can stink bug traps attract other pests?
Stink bug traps are designed to target stink bugs specifically, but some traps might inadvertently attract other insects. To avoid this, choose traps with specific attractants that stink bugs are drawn to, minimizing the likelihood of luring in unrelated pests. Regularly checking traps and adjusting their placement can help manage unintended catches.
