Can A Dehumidifier Help Keep Stink Bugs Out Of Your Home? Here's What We Know

Stink bugs often invade homes in search of shelter and warmth. And God forbid, if they feel threatened or disturbed, they will stink up the whole place. Plus, they can be bad news for many indoor plants, and their feces can stain walls, furniture, and curtains. Put simply, you don't want them in your home, and unless you fix what draws stink bugs in, they will keep coming. That is where a dehumidifier can help. Stink bugs, like many other pests, are attracted to damp and moist spaces. So, when you use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity, it makes the indoor environment less inviting, keeping stink bugs away from your home.

Also, keep in mind that moisture and humidity are not the only things that attract stink bugs indoors. Light, heat, food scraps, and unsealed pantry items attract them too. And if you have a cluttered attic or basement, you are practically inviting them to stay awhile. Those messy and often undisturbed places are like a perfect sanctuary for these shy bugs. All in all, relying on just a dehumidifier to keep stink bugs out might not work. You need to fix other issues, too. Just never try squishing them. It is a really big mistake you don't want to make when dealing with stink bugs in the house.

Start by deploying your humidifier in places that stink bugs like to hide. Think attics, kitchens, storage rooms, basements, or any other place that is cluttered or damp. You want to keep the humidity indoors below 50 percent to make your home less inviting to pests. Just don't let it get below 30 percent, as it might cause discomfort and health issues. So, to keep pests away and maintain human comfort levels, keep the humidity between 30 and 50 percent, which is also the right setting for your dehumidifier for efficiency.

If you, however, do not have a humidifier, there are many other ways to dehumidify your home. For instance, in the kitchen, prevent water from pooling and keep the towels and dishes dry. Similarly, you can improve ventilation in attics and basements. Increased indoor airflow can also reduce moisture levels. Other than that, you can also try running exhaust fans in the washrooms and kitchens for longer to expel humid air outside.

Besides this, you must also seal cracks around windows, doors, and vents. It is a simple two-birds-one-stone solution that will not only prevent stink bugs from entering your home but also keep moisture-rich air from getting inside. And lastly, take a look outside your home. Stink bugs often hide under thick mulch or decaying leaf litter. Get rid of these hiding spots as soon as you can, or the pests will end up inside once it gets too cold outside.