How to Prevent Stink Bugs from Entering Your Home

 

Stink bugs are shield-shaped, brown or greenish insects that become especially problematic during fall when they try to get inside homes to stay warm for the winter. To keep them out, you need to block every possible way they can enter, remove what attracts them, and make your home less welcoming for them.

 

Seal All Gaps and Cracks on the Outside of Your Home

 

Stink bugs sneak inside through tiny openings. They can slip in anywhere there’s a gap between doors, windows, pipes, or cracks in the siding. Carefully check your home’s exterior and use these solutions:

• Caulk cracks and crevices: Use silicone or silicone-latex caulk to fill spaces around windows, door frames, baseboards, siding, and utility pipes that lead indoors.
• Seal foundation gaps: Examine where your house meets the foundation for small holes, and use foam sealant for bigger gaps.
• Weatherstrip doors and windows: Install or replace weatherstripping around doors and windows so bugs can't squeeze in.
• Fix or replace window screens: Make sure all window, door, and ventilation screens are free from tears and fit tightly.
• Install door sweeps: Add tight-fitting door sweeps on exterior doors, including the garage door and basement doors.

 

Reduce Outdoor Lights at Night

 

Stink bugs are attracted to lights at night, especially bright exterior lights.

• Switch off porch and garage lights if possible, or use yellow "bug" bulbs that attract fewer insects.
• Keep curtains and blinds closed in rooms where lights are on at night so bugs aren’t drawn to windows.

 

Remove Things Bugs Like Near Your Home

 

Stink bugs hide in yard debris and overgrown plants before coming inside.

• Rake leaves, remove weeds, and clear old plant material from around your foundation.
• Trim back shrubs, trees, or any vegetation touching your house.
• Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.

 

Check What You Bring Inside

 

Bugs sometimes hitchhike indoors on things you carry.

• Inspect boxes, bags, or any outdoor furniture before bringing them inside.
• Look over laundry hung outside and shake out before entering the home.

 

Deal with Stink Bugs You See Indoors Properly

 

If a few manage to get in, don’t crush them—this releases their bad smell.

• Gently capture with a tissue or small container and release back outside, far from your house, or flush them down the toilet.
• Vacuum them up and promptly empty the vacuum outdoors, as their odor can linger inside the machine.

 

When to Get Professional Help

 

If you’re seeing large numbers indoors or can’t find entry points, call a licensed pest control professional. They can inspect, find where bugs are coming in, and recommend further treatments if necessary.

 

Ongoing Prevention is Key

 

Stopping stink bugs before they get inside works best when you make it a regular routine—seal, clear debris, check screens and weatherstripping, and act before they start invading in the fall. By following these steps, you can keep stink bugs outdoors where they belong and avoid unpleasant odors or infestations in your living areas.