The brown marmorated stink bug is a pest that Marylanders know well. New residents to the state are in for a treat.

Stink bug season is right around the corner, and it’s expected to be a rough one.

Researchers at Virginia Tech noticed a much higher number of stink bugs in 2020, suggesting that 2021 will be no different. And because the bug’s behavior mimics hibernation patterns, some might even linger in your home until May. Why?

You guessed it””the winter has them seeking out warmth and shelter, leading them right into your cozy but unsuspecting home. Is there anything you can do to stop this influx?

How do you get rid of stink bugs in Southern Maryland? 

Seal Entry Points

The first step should be finding places where the stink bugs can get into your home””and then sealing those places, preventing entry.

To ensure your home is bug-proofed, consider taking some of the following actions: 

• Sealing any gaps in doorways or gaps around pipes
• Adding screen doors (especially great for those who like to keep the door propped during the cooler months)
• Repairing any cracks in the foundation with cement or mortar
• Covering large holes, like chimneys, with a material like hardwire cloth

Rid Your Home of Attractions

What do stink bugs enjoy?

It all comes down to survival””ripe fruit, plants, and light. If you’re a green thumb and a lover of bananas, your home might be the perfect place for a colony of stink bugs to spend the winter. If you tend to keep exterior lights on overnight, that’s one more thing attracting stink bugs to your house.

So, if you feel comfortable with it, turn off that porch or entryway light when it’s time for bed. Keep ripe fruit off the counters for the winter months. And, if there’s an option, consider storing plants in an outdoor greenhouse, which can be surprisingly affordable, easy to assemble, and cute home decor!

Use Homemade Solutions

If you’ve done the above two steps and are still noticing the pesky fliers, you can move on to DIY solutions.

Some of those include:

• A 1:1 solution of water and dish soap, to be sprayed on individual bugs
• A chili spray, which requires you to seep 1 quart of water with onions, hot peppers, and garlic
• Glue traps””mix 1 part water with 1 part corn syrup, boil, then spread the sticky solution on a small piece of cardboard or paper

Having Stink Bugs Stinks: Call a Pest Control Company

Using these tips, you’re well on your way to eradicating (or, at the least, minimizing) an infestation in your home.

It starts with cutting off entry points by sealing or caulking any open areas. Then, make your house as unappetizing as possible by taking your fruit bowl off the counter and maybe even storing your plants elsewhere””like an outdoor greenhouse.

If homemade solutions aren’t doing the job, then it’s probably time to call the experts. That’s where we come in.

Contact Planet Friendly Pest Control today for five-star pest control services. We look forward to helping you sort out your bug problem!