How to Kill a Stink Bug

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Killing a stink bug can be a messy, unpleasant matter, since many methods will cause the bug to release an extremely pungent odor. Soapy water is one of the least messy and most effective methods to use, but other organic and chemical pesticides also exist. You can also exterminate the insects using more physical methods. Here's what you should know about killing stink bugs.

Method 1
Method 1 of 5:

Using Soapy Water in a Jar

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  1. Add enough liquid dish soap to the jar to cover the bottom. Fill half of the jar with warm water and stir to mix.
    • Any liquid dish soap will work, regardless of how mild it is or what additional chemicals it may contain.
    • The right size container will depend on how many stink bugs you intend to capture. A small custard cup or ramekin is enough if you only plan on killing a few of the pests, but a larger jar or small bucket should be used if you plan on taking care of a major infestation all at once.
  2. When you come across a stink bug, flick it off its post with a popsicle stick or chopstick and down into the soapy solution.
    • Work quickly. Some species of stink bugs can fly and may escape if you do not manage to flick it off in one fell swoop.
    • Stink bugs should drown within 20 to 40 seconds. The bugs breathe through pores beneath their waxy exterior shells, and when soap plugs these pores up, the bugs suffocate.
    • You could also wear disposable gloves and pick up the stink bugs by hand. Similarly, you could pick them up with tweezers. Picking them up directly ensures that they will not be able to escape, but they may release their odor if you do not work quickly.
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  3. After you collect a few stink bugs in your soapy water, flush the contents of the jar down the toilet to dispose of the bugs and the dirty water.
    • Wait until you collect a few stink bugs instead of flushing them individually in order to save water.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 5:

Using Soapy Water Spray

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  1. [1] Combine 32 oz (1 liter) of warm water with 3/4 cup (180 ml) liquid dish detergent.
    • As before, any liquid dish detergent will work regardless of potency or added chemicals.
    • Shake the bottle well to make sure that the soap and water are combined.
  2. Douse any bugs you cannot knock down with the spray and apply the solution along any area you suspect the stink bugs might come in through.
    • Even though this does not work as quickly as drowning the insects does, the soap with react with the waxy coating on the exterior of the stink bug, breaking that coating down and ultimately dehydrating the pest.
    • Stink bugs usually sneak in through cracks, windows, doors, and vents. [2] Spray a heavy coating of this solution around those areas so that invading stink bugs will walk through it and eventually die.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 5:

Using Traditional Pesticides

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  1. [3] While traditional insecticides may kill stink bugs, there are health risks and other potentially negative consequences involved.
    • Insecticides are poisonous to humans and pets as well as stink bugs. Keep them out of reach of small children and pets, and strictly follow the application instructions on the label.
    • Residual dust treatments can kill many stink bugs, but the bugs may die in hard-to-reach places as a result of the delayed effect. Carpet beetles and other pests may invade your home to feed on the dead bugs afterward.
    • Aerosol foggers will kill stink bugs, but the effect only lasts for a limited amount of time, and any stink bugs that enter the area after the room is aired out will not be killed.
    • Only use insecticides that are labeled to kill stink bugs. Otherwise, you run the risk of choosing a chemical that is not effective against these particular pests.
  2. Use a "kills on contact" aerosol insecticide to attack stink bugs as you see them.
    • Understand that "on contact" is not necessarily as instantaneous as the term would imply. These chemicals usually begin to attack the stink bug's nervous system after they dry, but it could take several hours after initial contact before the bug dies.
  3. [4] Following label instructions, sprinkle or spray the product in any area you suspect the stink bugs to be hiding in.
    • Residual sprays tend to work best when sprayed along window sills, doorways, and baseboards.
    • Residual dusts tend to work better when dusting the attic, crawl spaces, or interior wall space.
  4. Spray an outdoor residual pesticide along the ground around your home's foundation.
    • Stink bugs always invade from the outdoors, so any stink bug entering your home for the first time will be affected and killed.
  5. Soak a pack of shredded cigarettes in 1 gallon (4 liters) of warm water. Strain the solution and mix in 2 Tbsp (30 ml) of dish detergent.
    • Fill a spray bottle with this solution and thoroughly coat the stink bug with it.
    • The liquid dish detergent allows the solution to stick to the insect more effectively, and the nicotine poisons the stink bug.
    • Wear disposable gloves as you work with the nicotine solution to avoid accidentally absorbing the poison through your skin.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 5:

Using Household Solutions

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  1. Attack each stink bug with hairspray as you see it to stop the pest from moving around.
    • The hairspray alone will not kill the stink bug, but it will immobilize it, preventing the bug from roaming about freely and making it easier to apply a chemical that will kill the bug.
    • Make sure to use the stickiest hairspray possible. Thankfully, cheap brands are usually stickier than expensive brands.
  2. Fill a glass jar halfway with one of these chemicals and knock or drop the stink bugs into the jar as you come across them.
    • Do not mix these chemicals for any reason. Combining these chemicals can produce fumes that are deadly to humans.
    • Knock the stink bugs into the solution using a popsicle stick or gloved hand, or pick the bugs up with tweezers.
    • You could also dilute one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water inside a spray bottle. Attack stink bugs with this solution as you see them. The alcohol will wear away at the exterior of the insect, drying it out and eventually destroying it.
  3. Buy a can of freeze away wart remover and spray it directly on the stink bug. The bug will freeze instantly and all you need to do is flush them down the toilet.
  4. Fill a spray bottle with hot sauce or liquified hot peppers. Squirt each stink bug with the spicy insecticide as you see it.
    • Hot peppers are capable of burning human skin and eyes if handled improperly. Similarly, the peppers can burn away the waxy exterior of the stink bug, ultimately destroying it.
    • Wash your hands after handling hot peppers and hot sauce to avoid accidentally irritating your eyes.
  5. Place a single drop of candle wax remover on the back of an individual stink bug. The insect should die within one or two minutes.
    • You might be able to apply the candle wax remover to the stink bug without capturing it, but be aware that accidentally getting the remover onto carpet or other surfaces may create a stain. For best results, immobilize the insect with hair spray or trap it inside a glass jar before applying the remover.
    • The candle wax remover strips away the waxy coating on the outside of the stink bug's shell, thereby breaking down interior membranes.
  6. Place a tablespoonful / teaspoonful of white vinegar in a container; use a container that is not too large.
    • Capture the stink bug using tweezers, an empty medicine container with cap, and/or use gloves.
    • Put the bug or bugs into the vinegar. They die immediately without releasing their bomb.
    • Flush the critters down the toilet.
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Method 5
Method 5 of 5:

Using Physical Extermination

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  1. [5] When you see one or more stink bugs, suck them up using an upright vacuum with a bag. [6]
    • The stink bugs will release their odor inside the vacuum, causing the machine to stink for several weeks. Sprinkle the interior of the vacuum with a strong deodorizer to minimize this effect.
    • Avoid using bagless vacuum cleaners. Use vacuums with bags and dispose of the bag after you finish sucking up the bugs.
    • Alternatively, wrap a knee-high stocking around the outside of the vacuum tube and secure it in place with a rubber band. Stuff the rest of the stocking into the tube and suck the stink bugs up as usual. This will prevent the bugs from passing through the vacuum filter.
  2. Place a bug zapper in a dark attic or closet.
    • Like most insects, stink bugs are drawn to sources of light. By placing the device in a dark room, the light of the electrocution system becomes more appealing to the stink bugs. As they approach the light, they are instantly electrocuted and die before they have the chance to release their stink.
    • Make sure that you sweep up or vacuum up the dead stink bugs after several days pass.
  3. Spread flypaper or other sticky traps near windows, doorways, vents, and cracks.
    • The stink bugs will get caught on the traps as they pass over them. Without being able to search out food, the insects will starve to death.
    • Throw out the glue trap after you have gathered several stink bugs.
    • Be aware of the fact that stink bugs may release their odor upon becoming stuck to the trap.
  4. Trap the stink bugs in a resealable plastic freezer bag or airtight, freezer-safe container. Place the container in a freezer for several days to kill them.
    • Make sure that the container or bag has a tight seal. Otherwise, you run the risk of contaminating the contents of your freezer.
  5. Quickly pick up the glass. Sweep the dead bug into the garbage.
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Join the Discussion...

How Do I Get Rid of Stink Bugs in My Home?
WikiWombatCaster809
17
WikiWombatCaster809
We have a stink bug problem in our house, and they are EVERYWHERE. It started with just a few but they've multiplied and I'm now killing upwards... Read More
Kevin Carrillo
Pest Control Specialist, MMPC
I’d start by checking the area where you keep finding the bugs for gaps to the outside. Fill them in with silicone, grout, or whatever material... Read More
WikiDesertWatcher959
WikiDesertWatcher959
In my experience, diatomaceous earth is the best option. It’s this eco-friendly granular stuff that you can sprinkle on the ground and the stin... Read More
See all 6 Replies and
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What happens if I squish a stink bug?
    Scott McCombe
    Pest Control Specialist
    Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.
    Scott McCombe
    Pest Control Specialist
    Expert Answer
    When you squish a stink bug, it releases a strong, unpleasant odor. Try to avoid stepping on or crushing them.
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  • Question
    How do I get rid of stink bugs in my home?
    Scott McCombe
    Pest Control Specialist
    Scott McCombe is the CEO of Summit Environmental Solutions (SES), a family-owned local pest solutions, animal control, and home insulation company based in Northern Virginia. Founded in 1991, SES has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and has been awarded “Top Rated Professional,” and “Elite Service Award" by HomeAdvisor.
    Scott McCombe
    Pest Control Specialist
    Expert Answer
    Vacuum the stink bugs to catch them and then empty the bag so they don't escape.
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    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      Tips

      • Seal up your house to prevent more stink bugs from coming in. No extermination method will kill future infestations of stink bugs. The only way to be rid of them long-term is to seal off vents, cracks, and holes leading from the outside in to prevent more from coming back in.
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        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • The bugs are attracted to light. I have had a ton of success setting a light out over a bowl of soapy water. Overnight, I'll just leave the light one and in the morning the bowl is filled with the bugs.
      • I suspect that white vinegar only works on certain species of stink bug. Only about half of the stink bugs I catch die in vinegar. The other half seem like they're able to swim around just fine.
      • Nail polish remover also works! Put a little bit of the remover in a spray bottle and spritz the bugs. It'll knock them out right away.
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      Warnings

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      Things You'll Need

      • Glass jar
      • Dish detergent
      • Water
      • Spray bottle
      • Insecticide
      • Hair spray
      • Rubbing alcohol
      • Popsicle stick
      • Tweezers
      • Disposable gloves
      • Hot sauce or hot peppers
      • Nicotine
      • Candle wax remover
      • Vacuum cleaner
      • Bug zapper
      • Glue traps
      • Freezer-safe bags or containers

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mnn.com/your-home/at-home/stories/how-to-get-rid-of-stink-bugs
      2. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
      3. ↑ https://ento.psu.edu/extension/factsheets/brown-marmorated-stink-bug
      4. ↑ https://www.epestsupply.com/how-to-kill-and-get-rid-of-stinkbugs.php#kill
      5. ↑ https://www.bayeradvanced.com/articles/how-to-get-rid-of-stink-bugs
      6. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.
      7. ↑ Scott McCombe. Pest Control Specialist. Expert Interview. 19 November 2019.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      The easiest way to kill a stink bug is by using liquid dish soap and warm water. Start by putting enough soap in a jar to cover the bottom and filling the jar halfway with warm water. Then, stir the mixture, and drop your stink bug into it so it will drown. Alternatively, mix 32 ounces of water with ¾ of a cup of soap in a spray bottle and spray the stink bug to kill it. You can also use vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or bleach in your jar, or put hot sauce in your spray bottle. However, consider trying soap and water first, since it’s simple and effective. For tips on how to use glue traps or pesticides to kill a stink bug, scroll down!

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