"How Do You Get Rid Of Stink Bugs?" Everyone's Asking!

This is getting to be one of the most frequently asked questions I hear, "How do you get rid of Stink Bugs?" It seems that more and more people are typing into Google things like "Stink Bugs Pennsylvania, or "Stink Bugs Maryland" or Virginia or New Jersey. This clearly tells us that these pests are becoming more and more widespread in the Northeastern part of the country. So I decided to provide you with some stink bug facts that will help you to understand a bit about them, as well as some effective ways to kill Stink Bugs if you so desire.　　
Fact #1 Stink Bugs do NOT bite people
Fact #2 Stink Bugs dislike excessive heat and cold
Fact #3 Stink Bugs feed mainly on fruits and vegetables
Fact #4 Stink Bugs hibernate in the winter
Fact #5 Stink Bugs CAN be controlledContrary to popular belief, Stink Bugs don't bite people. This is a myth. They do have little barbs on their feet which they use to hang on to things - which could be misinterpreted as a bite if you felt it on your arm. But they don't actually bite.

Stink Bugs dislike being in the direct sunlight. This is why you'll often find them hiding under structures like decks, porches, railings and in your house. They also hate cold temperatures. Again the reason why you see them inside your house.

A Stink Bug will feed exclusively on vegetable plants or fruit trees. They have been known to do extensive crop damage as a result.  Because they hibernate in the winter, they look for a nice warm place to do so. That explains why you find them in you house.

Now how do you get rid of Stink Bugs? The truth is you will never get rid of all of them. The best you can hope for is to control them. To control Stink Bugs the optimum course of action is to seal off all the holes, cracks and crevices you can find. Treat the shady areas where they like to gather with a pesticide. Keep food plants at a distance from the house. And make sure that all of your windows, screens and doors fit properly.

If and when you do find the occasional Stink Bug inside your house, simply use a vacuum cleaner to pick it up, or pick it up with a Kleenex and put it in a sealed container.  Then there's the ever-popular "flush it down the commode technique" which works great!  It is advisable not to crush it because this causes it to release that stinky chemical, which in turn attracts more Stink Bugs to the area.