How To Get Rid Of Stink Bugs Quickly Without The Smelly Consequences

No one likes having bugs in their house. But more often than not, they can't do much to harm you. Just grab a shoe, a fly swatter, or a bit of bug spray, and get it out. If you're fancy, you might even use a hands-free solution to remove bugs. This works with a spider, a fly, and even sometimes a wasp, but there's one that has found a way to make your squishing attempts truly backfire — the stink bug. But  lucky for you, there's a trick you can use to get these nasty bugs outside without triggering their stinky fluids: create a trap using water, soap, and a bottle.

This small insect is infamous for its ability to release strong smells when it feels threatened (hence the name). They do this thanks to fluids that come from glands on their body, which are said to smell of coriander and cilantro, except, gross. Some people say it smells like burnt rubber, and others compare it to skunk spray. The exact odor isn't the same for each bug, and it doesn't smell the same for everyone, which adds a layer of surprise to the whole ordeal. And the worst part is that it can linger for hours or days.

And stink bugs don't just release that nasty smell when they're crushed; they also do it when they're handled and bothered. Traditionally, people have tried to grab stink bugs and put them into a plastic bag to take them outside. But with this method, you could expose yourself to that strong odor if you grab the bug too hard or if it feels threatened by the bag. Getting rid of them with a vacuum isn't a great idea either, as the smell can linger inside it. That is why you'll need to get a bit creative and trap the bug inside a bottle with water and soap. 

To eradicate stink bugs without releasing their scent, YouTuber @IanOnTheFarm filled a bottle with water and soap. He brought it near the stink bug and made it fall into the liquid, so it can't escape. Once it's in the DIY solution, the bug can't release its nasty smells, and you're saved. While you're still "pushing" it, you're not actually handling or grabbing the stink bug, which makes it less likely to trigger its smell glands in defense. Plus, they are a bit awkward and clumsy when flying, so if it gets close to your bottle, it should fall into the water quite easily. 

This trap is a safer way to get rid of stink bugs without using pesticides, but do not rely on it solely. There are a few monitoring tips in mind. Stink bugs are more commonly seen on plants outside, but they do make their way inside to survive the winter. During that time, you might not see them as they hide in walls, but as temperatures warm in the spring, they'll start to make their way out, which is when they'll appear around the house, on walls, curtains, or windows. If you start noticing these in your home, it's important to act quickly. While they don't bite, a full-blown infestation would be quite difficult to contain.